Source: TH
Context: The Bombay High Court has struck down the amended IT Rules, 2023, which allowed the Centre to establish a fact-check unit to identify “fake news” about the government.
The court ruled that the rules violated the Constitution’s rights to equality and free speech, describing the terms “fake, false, and misleading” as vague. The court ruled that the state is not obligated to provide only verified information. The measures also failed the test of proportionality, which evaluates the legitimacy, suitability, necessity, and balancing of laws against rights.
This decision followed a split verdict in January 2024 and a petition from various groups, including comedian Kunal Kamra. Digital rights advocates welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of independent media in fact-checking.
