Karnataka has 15 proposals so far for fact-checking unit: Priyank Kharge
Karnataka has received as many as 15 proposals so far for the empanelment of agencies for a fact-checking unit, state IT minister Priyank Kharge told ET in an interview. The last date for submitting proposals has been extended to November 1, he said.
The state had called expressions of interest to set up an Information Disorder Tackling Unit on October 5. The vetting of proposals will start soon.
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Offering CollegeCourseWebsiteIndian School of BusinessISB Professional Certificate in Product ManagementVisitIndian School of BusinessISB Product ManagementVisitNorthwestern UniversityKellogg Post Graduate Certificate in Product ManagementVisitOn the question of whether the unit will jeopardise news publication and affect journalists, he said: «We had told media persons to be on the board of the observing committee. It could be the Editors Guild of India or the Press Trust of India or anyone else.»
Also read | Karnataka's IT Minister Priyank Kharge says 'fact-checking unit' not meant to impinge on press freedom
Asked if there is a tentative timeline by which the fact-checking unit can be expected to be operational, he said: «I'm already behind schedule on activating the fact-check unit. We have allocated a budget of Rs 10 crore for the same. The idea is that the home department will be taking the ownership.» «I'm doing this only because of the technology part that is involved. Ultimately, the single point of contact (SPOC) will be the Department of Home,» he said.
On September 14, the state had announced a framework for the fact-checking unit, which includes an oversight committee, a review SPOC and nodal officers. The move was criticised by both the Centre as well as
