Karnataka CM gives nod to create fact check unit to tighten noose around spread of fake news
Bengaluru, Aug 21: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday gave his approval to set up a fact check unit and promulgation of necessary rules and laws in the state.
A statement issued by his office said the decision was taken with a view that fake news should be controlled as it was dangerous for democracy and would polarise the society.
The decision was taken in a meeting on cyber security chaired by the Chief Minister at his home office 'Krishna'.
Siddaramaiah approved three-step measures of detecting fake news and syndicates that create them, preventing the spread of fake news, and giving severe punishment to the accused.
ALSO READ: Siddaramaiah announces formation of new committee to formulate new education policy for Karnataka
The fact check unit will comprise a monitoring committee and fact check analysis team along with the appointment of nodal officers.
It was explained in the meeting that a capacity building team can be formed and technology can be leveraged systematically.
Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said though Bengaluru Police is also active on social media, the state needs a fact check unit. According to him, 'deep fake' is also being utilised using Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is helpful for those spreading fake news.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara said although the fake news network is in its infancy globally, it is likely to become widely used over time.
Parameshwara insisted upon forming the fact checking committee immediately and working on capacity building. He also said that identifying fake news is essential to maintain law and order.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda said people should be informed that it is a punishable crime.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India denied Pope Francis’ visit, say Bishops; ‘government did not open the door’
New Delhi: Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, senior Indian bishops have expressed sorrow not only over his passing but also over what they describe as a missed opportunity for India, reported Maktoob Media.
According to Delhi Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto and Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil, the Indian government repeatedly failed to grant permission for the Pope's long-awaited visit, despite consistent interest from the Vatican.
“He too was waiting,” said Archbishop Couto. “Five years ago, he had said, ‘I am knocking on the doors of your government, but they are not opening the doors to me.’ Now maybe God has opened the doors for him in heaven.” His words echoed deep regret that India never hosted the late pontiff, who had made clear his intention to visit the country.
Bishop Inchananiyil reinforced the sentiment, stating, “The Pope had a special desire to visit India. Unfortunately, our doors did not open. That caused him great sorrow.”
The Pope’s unfulfilled visit has drawn renewed scrutiny toward the Indian government’s apparent reluctance, despite earlier gestures suggesting otherwise. At the G7 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had publicly extended an invitation to Pope Francis, and Union Minister George Kurien had emphasized that both the Indian state and the Christian community were awaiting his visit. However, the formal diplomatic process that would enable such a trip never reached fruition.
India has not hosted a papal visit in over 25 years. The last visit was by Pope John Paul II in 1999, who also made a significant trip in 1986. Prior to that, Pope Paul VI had visited Mumbai in 1964 for the International Eucharistic Congress, marking the first-ever papal visit to the country.
Despite India being home to one of the largest Catholic populations in Asia greater than in many Christian-majority nations such as East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore the late pontiff was never able to set foot on Indian soil. In 2017, his planned visit fell through when India did not extend an official invitation, leading him instead to visit neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh.
