The Supreme Court, led by CJI Chandrachud, Today halted the implementation of Fact Check Units (FCUs) under the 2023 IT Amendment Rules, emphasizing the need to examine its impact on free speech. This decision followed petitions challenging the rules, including one from comedian Kunal Kamra, who argued that FCUs could lead to biased censorship by social media platforms regarding the Central government.
On Tuesday (19th March): Comedian Kunal Kamra has approached the Supreme Court to halt the implementation of Fact Check Units (FCUs) under the 2023 amendments to the IT Amendment Rules. He argues that this may lead to censorship, limiting free speech and affecting public discourse. His plea underscores concerns about online content regulation, potential impacts on democracy, and his fundamental right to practice his profession.
After Split Verdict, The Bombay High Court reserved its order on the interim relief sought by petitioners, including comedian Kunal Kamra, regarding the establishment of Fact Check units (FCU) as per the amended IT Rules, 2023. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the provision serves public interest, while the petitioners contested this, emphasizing freedom of expression. Justice Chandurkar reserved judgment after hearing both sides.
Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court expressed concern over judges facing “intolerable pressure” and “beyond brutal” working hours amid discussions on the Information Technology (IT) Rules Amendment and the proposed Fact-Check Unit. The court adjourned the hearing to February 8, urging the Centre not to notify the FCU until a third judge decides on the issue.
The Bombay High Court recently delivered a divided verdict on petitions challenging the Information Technology (IT) rules, specifically those addressing the Fact-Checking Unit (FCU). This drew attention due to contrasting opinions by Justices Patel and Gokhale. The case, involving high-profile petitioners like Kunal Kamra, could have far-reaching implications for freedom of expression and government regulation online.
The Bombay High Court is set to announce its verdict on December 1, 2023, regarding the contentious IT Amendment Rules, 2023. These rules empower a government-established Fact Check Unit (FCU) to identify and flag misleading, false, or fake information about the Central Government on social media platforms. Following this identification, platforms such as Facebook and […]