"Centre's Fact Checking Unit Won't Affect Free Speech": Minister To NDTV

On allegations that it could be used to censor the media, the minister said citizens' fundamental rights will not be violated.

The Centre will notify a 'fact checking unit' to tackle misinformation and misleading news relating to the government, which will transparently verify whether information about the government is false, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for IT, told NDTV.  The recent amendments to the IT rules, which make it obligatory on platforms "not to publish, share or host fake, false or misleading information" about the government, has come under fire for its alleged 'draconian' nature.

The minister dismissed concerns that the amendments would lead to censorship and assured that the fact checks will be done in a credible way.

The fact checking unit will be a befitting response to vested interests from outside who propagate wrong and misleading information, he said, adding that the unit will be a government body that will analyse such information.

"It will be difficult for any external agency to fact-check information related to the government," Mr Chandrasekhar said, and assured that the fact-checking unit will work responsibly and transparently.