<p>Bengaluru: The state government will introduce the anti-fake news Bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the legislature scheduled to begin next month. </p>.<p>IT/BT Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/priyank-kharge">Priyank Kharge</a> said inter-departmental consultations are being held on the draft Karnataka Misinformation and Fake news (Prohibition) Act. </p>.<p>“The sole objective is to address the growing digital information disorder. Our focus is strictly on tackling misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and fake news and nothing beyond that,” Priyank said recently in response to concerns raised by Internet Freedom Foundation founder Apar Gupta on the draft. </p>.Karnataka to table draft anti-fake news bill in next assembly session: Parameshwara .<p>Priyank’s department is working with the home department to finalise the draft, which is likely to undergo changes. </p>.<p>Apparently, the draft Bill was prepared by “overenthusiastic” officials who inserted clauses such as prohibiting disrespect to ‘Sanatan’ symbols.</p>.<p>According to sources, the final draft will be considerably different from the existing one and the government is revisiting some of the penal provisions proposed. </p>.<p>Under the current draft, social media users posting fake news would face up to seven years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh. Also, the government will set up a Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority and a special court to try offences, which will be cognisable and non-bailable. Not obeying the special court’s directions would attract up to two years imprisonment and a daily fine of <br />Rs 25,000.</p>.<p>Sources also said that several clauses were “lifted” from the Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2019, which was a private member’s Bill. </p>.<p>The government is also planning to introduce separate laws on hate speech/crimes, crowd control and online gaming in the monsoon session of the legislature. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: The state government will introduce the anti-fake news Bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the legislature scheduled to begin next month. </p>.<p>IT/BT Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/priyank-kharge">Priyank Kharge</a> said inter-departmental consultations are being held on the draft Karnataka Misinformation and Fake news (Prohibition) Act. </p>.<p>“The sole objective is to address the growing digital information disorder. Our focus is strictly on tackling misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and fake news and nothing beyond that,” Priyank said recently in response to concerns raised by Internet Freedom Foundation founder Apar Gupta on the draft. </p>.Karnataka to table draft anti-fake news bill in next assembly session: Parameshwara .<p>Priyank’s department is working with the home department to finalise the draft, which is likely to undergo changes. </p>.<p>Apparently, the draft Bill was prepared by “overenthusiastic” officials who inserted clauses such as prohibiting disrespect to ‘Sanatan’ symbols.</p>.<p>According to sources, the final draft will be considerably different from the existing one and the government is revisiting some of the penal provisions proposed. </p>.<p>Under the current draft, social media users posting fake news would face up to seven years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh. Also, the government will set up a Fake News on Social Media Regulatory Authority and a special court to try offences, which will be cognisable and non-bailable. Not obeying the special court’s directions would attract up to two years imprisonment and a daily fine of <br />Rs 25,000.</p>.<p>Sources also said that several clauses were “lifted” from the Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2019, which was a private member’s Bill. </p>.<p>The government is also planning to introduce separate laws on hate speech/crimes, crowd control and online gaming in the monsoon session of the legislature. </p>
