The Karnataka State Government has vowed to take strict measures to prevent the spread of fake news. Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that the government is prepared to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology as a tool to take necessary legal action against those involved in spreading fake news. Measures being taken by the government include the introduction of new laws, where necessary, to punish those spreading fake news and inciting communal flare-ups. Cybercrime has become a growing threat, and as new issues emerge frequently, laws must be amended regularly to keep pace with technological advancements.
Parameshwara added that the government will hold discussions with social media giants such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to address the issue of controlling sensitive and inciting posts. The government is also exploring the establishment of a cyber security wing at every police station to address issues at the jurisdiction level early on to avoid an increase in the number of such cases. This move follows strict instructions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the authorities for a crackdown on fake news.
Parameshwara has stated that fake news are posted on various platforms and social media, with photographs being morphed to project a sensitive issue to which the photo is actually unrelated. The spread of such fake news can lead to wrong notions and impacts at the personal, social and government level, which can be significant. The government aims to identify those posting such news by using AI technology and to understand their intention to take necessary legal action.
While the fight against fake news is important, it is critical to maintain journalistic integrity by balancing viewpoints and presenting different perspectives. The government’s efforts to curb the spread of fake news should also not infringe on freedom of expression. The move is likely to be widely supported and effective in combating the spread of fake news, which has become a common problem globally.
