In the wake of blistering election campaigns and the last order of the Bombay High Court that rejected the demand for an interim stay on FCU, the IT ministry announced a 'fact-check unit' to flag misinformation and disinformation. The decision was taken on March 20 under the umbrella of 'Press Information Bureau', but now SC has put the plan on hold to protect the freedom of speech. A bench of CJI, DY Chandrachud, Justice Manoj Mishra and JB Pardiwala has stayed the notification on March 21. This response intends to guard the liberty of expression, however, they have not commented on merit of the ongoing case.
The Other Aspect Opens Up Burning Questions
According to PIB notification, mainstream channels and social media portals like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X and YouTube should be bound by legal liabilities to serve the right and true information. But as per the mentioned roadmap, the decision intended to restrict the information that is related to 'central government or its agencies', turning the curiosity on the other aspects and scenarios.
Fake news is no less than a contagious, viral thing that can turn the largest democracy into a kakistocracy, then why do the attempts to eradicate misinformation sound like a polarised autocracy? The misinformation against any party, cult, community, person or agency should be considered 'poisonous' because it requires responsible solutions. PIB notification inflames burning questions, Is it a method to fight against tyranny or a justified way to attack the right to information and freedom of speech?
The Previous Hullabaloo
Last year, the IT rules were slammed by the Editors' Guild of India, Kunal Kamra and several outspoken media portals. The Bombay High Court refused applications that demanded an interim stay on the question of FCU.
Now only time will unveil the layers of on-ground battles and realistic aftermaths.
