RTI activist, friend shot dead in Bihar
Patna, July 1: A Right to Information (RTI) activist and his friend were shot dead on Sunday by unidentified assailants in Bihar's Jamui district, police said.
This is third such crime in the last three months.
Valmiki Yadav and his friend Karu Yadav were attacked by motorcycle-borne assailants near Bichwe village in Sikandra police station area, a district police official said.
Yadav is said to have exposed several rackets and financial irregularities in the public welfare schemes and developmental works in the district.
An RTI activist was shot dead in Vaishali district in April whereas another RTI activist was shot dead in East Champaran district last month.
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CM Siddaramaiah calls for united action against fake news, warns of legal consequences
Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a stern warning, stating that the government will take strong legal action against individuals spreading fake news. Speaking at the district journalists' association's Press Day and award ceremony on Saturday, he expressed concern over the growing threat of misinformation, urging society to come together to tackle the issue.
The Chief Minister stressed that while laws have been put in place to penalize those responsible for spreading fake news, legal measures alone are not enough. He stressed on the need for a collective effort to combat the rise of misinformation. "Laws are crucial, but it is the responsibility of society as a whole to reject fake news and ensure that truth prevails," he said.
Citing a personal example, Siddaramaiah recalled an incident during an assembly session where he quoted former CM BS Yediyurappa, who had asked, "Do we have a printing machine to print currency to waive loans?" However, a distorted version of the statement was later circulated on social media, falsely attributing the comment to Siddaramaiah and linking it to the state's guarantee schemes. "This false information not only misled the public but caused harm to me and society as a whole," he remarked.
The CM also highlighted the government's efforts to counter misinformation, announcing the formation of special fact-check units in every district. These units are tasked with identifying and addressing the spread of fake news, with the goal of preserving truth and transparency in public discourse.
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right granted by our Constitution," Siddaramaiah said, adding that if misinformation threatens the three branches of the Constitution—legislative, executive, and judiciary—society itself will be in danger.
