Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Karnataka's government is facing a storm of criticism from civil society groups and legal experts over its recently drafted bill aimed at tackling fake news. While the intent is to curb misinformation, activists and legal experts are sounding alarms over its potentially draconian provisions, particularly concerning jail time and hefty fines for spreading what the state deems 'false information.'
The proposed legislation introduces significantly harsher punishments, including imprisonment for up to three years and fines reaching Rs 5 lakh for individuals found guilty of disseminating fake news. A major point of contention for critics is the ambiguous definition of "fake news" within the bill. They argue this vague wording grants excessive power to authorities, opening the door to arbitrary interpretation and potential misuse.
Critics argue this vague wording grants excessive power to authorities, allowing them to selectively target dissenting voices, independent journalists, and whistleblowers. There are fears that the bill could be weaponized to suppress legitimate criticism of the government, stifle public debate, and curb the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Indian Constitution. This could create a "chilling effect" where individuals self-censor to avoid legal repercussions, severely impacting democratic discourse.
Concerns are also raised about the bill's potential overlap with existing laws, such as sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, which already address defamation and harmful content. Activists suggest that rather than creating new, potentially oppressive laws, the focus should be on better enforcement and clear guidelines for existing legal frameworks. The Karnataka bill's provisions resonate with similar concerns raised about the central government's IT Rules amendments, which also give the government significant power over online content.
For activists, the bill represents a chilling effect on democratic principles and the free flow of information. They emphasize the importance of robust mechanisms for challenging misinformation that do not, however, stifle legitimate criticism or restrict the press. The ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between combating disinformation and safeguarding fundamental rights in a digital age.
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