LIVE | Karnataka’s “Fake News” Bill sparks censorship fears скачать в хорошем качестве

LIVE | Karnataka’s “Fake News” Bill sparks censorship fears

The Karnataka government’s proposed Fact Check Unit Bill—empowering officials to identify and order takedown of "fake or misleading" content on social media—has triggered alarms over free speech, press freedom, and unchecked executive power. This controversial bill, which includes jail terms for repeat offenders, echoes similar central government rules that allow PIB to flag “fake” news on government matters. But digital rights advocates say this state-level move could open floodgates to politically motivated censorship, especially in an election year. “There’s a serious risk of chilling effects,” says Apar Gupta, Supreme Court advocate and advisor to the Internet Freedom Foundation. “The Bill lacks due process, fails to define what constitutes fake news, and puts the state in the role of arbiter of truth.” While the government insists the move targets misinformation, critics argue it violates constitutional safeguards under Article 19(1)(a), with vague language, criminal penalties, and no independent oversight. In this exclusive interview, Gupta breaks down the legal concerns, compares the Bill to past Supreme Court rulings on intermediary liability and free speech (like Shreya Singhal v. Union of India), and explains why the battle over the Karnataka Bill may end up in the courts—and shape the future of digital speech in India. #fakenewsbill #karnataka #freedomofspeech #aparGupta #internetfreedom #pressfreedom #digitalrights #factcheckunit #misinformation #statecensorship #IFF #section69a #shreyasinghal #ITRules #socialmediaregulation #karnatakabill #constitutionalcrisis