• UGI USER
  • Mar 22, 2024
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WHY SC HAS STAYED GOVT’S ‘FACT CHECK UNIT’ FOR NOW:

Why in the news?

Supreme Court halts amended IT Rules allowing government’s Fact Check Unit, citing concerns over free speech and misinformation.

The Supreme Court has halted the operation of amended Information Technology (IT) Rules, which introduced a “Fact Check Unit” (FCU) empowered to identify fake news on social media platforms.

About Amended Rules :

  • The amended IT Rules, notified in April 2023, authorised the Union Electronics and IT Ministry to
  • establish the FCU under the Press Information Bureau.
  • The FCU was tasked with flagging false information related to the central government and its agencies on social media platforms.
  • Rule 3(1)(b)(v) expanded the definition of fake news to include false information concerning government business, raising concerns about governmental oversight of truth in such matters.
source:slideserve
What is the Fact Check Unit (FCU)?

●   Mandated by the IT Rules of 2021, the Fact Check Unit (FCU) requires social media platforms to combat misinformation promptly or risk losing legal immunity.

●   Statutory Designation:

●   Recognized as a statutory entity by the Union Electronics and Information Technology Ministry, operating under the Press Information Bureau.

●   Authority and Responsibilities:

●   Empowered to identify and flag false information concerning the Central government and its entities across social media platforms.