Stringent Law and punishment for fake news creators: CM Siddaramaiah

Mysuru Sep 21:  Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned that if fake news is left unchecked   it will destroy society’s  peace and no one will be able to live comfortably.

He was speaking after Inaugurating the Press Day and award presentation ceremony organized by District Journalists Association at Rani Bahadur hall of Manasa Gangotri, Mysuru

Stressing on the importance of freedom of speech, as enshrined in the constitution, he said that it  is the highest value given to us. If there is danger to the three pillars of the constitution, it is dangerous to the  society. The CM  explained that Pandit Nehru also emphasized that there should be no restrictions on the freedom of speech of the press.

Citing an example of the dangers of fake news  the Chief Minister said  “When I was speaking in the House, I quoted the previous Chief Minister Yediyurappa’s speech made in the house    where he said  “Do we have a currency printing machine  for the loan waiver scheme?”  But the social media twisted the video and made it look like I  myself had  said those words which is absolutely  fake. They created the fake news and spread the wrong message in the context  of guarantee schemes, he said.  Only society was at loss with this fake news and not me, he said.

*Severe punishment for fake news creators*

The CM  also noted  that laws alone cannot stop fake news and that society as a whole needs to raise its voice against it.

District In-charge Minister HC Mahadevappa, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor K.V Prabhakar, Prajavani Editor Ravindra Bhat, Guarantee Implementation Committee Pushpa Amarnath, MLAs Ravi Shankar, Tanveer Seth, News First CEO Ravikumar were present.

District Journalists’ Association President Deepak, Secretary Ravi Pandavapur and office bearers were present.