Have right to label content when it enters public domain

The Karnataka government has not yet released any version of the so-called Misinformation and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill because it is going through interdepartmental consultations, after which it will be released for public comments, the state's information technology minister Priyank Kharge tells Aashish Aryan in an interview.

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Kharge, in New Delhi earlier this month to hold a roadshow promoting the Bangalore Tech Summit, says the panel to determine whether a piece of content constitutes misinformation, disinformation, or fake news will not have any government official. Edited excerpts:

What is the status of the fake news Bill?

It is undergoing interdepartmental consultations. And it is with me, specifically within the information-technology ministry. The draft that is made public or shared with the press has nothing to do with us. I think it is based on a private Bill introduced by a member in Parliament.

What will be some of the salient features of the Bill?

We are clear that any piece of information that is either floated in the public domain or exists and is creating chaos or misgivings in society will be labelled "misinformation", "disinformation", "malinformation", or "fake news". Furthermore, if the content falls in any of these categories, we will verify whether it violates any law. If it is breaking a law, we will take action.