To distinguish between fact-checkers and those who stir up conflict is crucial: says Anurag Thakur

National

Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Communication, said in a statement to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that it is critical to distinguish between fact-checkers and those who seek to sow division under the guise of fact-checking.

During the question hour, Anurag Thakur said, “It is also important to know who the fact checker is and who is trying to create tension in the society by staying behind the fact check. If someone complains against them, then action is taken according to the law.”

His remark comes after the RJD MP’s request to describe the process to deal with people who create hatred and antagonism through their commentary in light of last month’s detention of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who was released on Wednesday on the Supreme Court’s instructions.

However, Thakur later went on to explain saying “In 2021-22, about 94 YT channels, 19 SM accounts, 747 URLs have been closed by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Modi government has taken strict action against anti-national forces who create propaganda against India.”

According to Thakur, Union for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) acts on complaints against digital platforms and programme code is applicable to electronic media, just as the Press Council of India (PCI) takes action against newspapers on its own initiative or in response to complaints, or both.