Press Information Bureau’s Fact Checking Unit (PIB FCU)
The Supreme Court has stayed a government notification establishing the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Checking Unit (PIB FCU).
The Fact Checking Unit was to act as a “deterrent” against the creation and dissemination of fake news or misinformation regarding the “business” of the Centre.
The notification was issued under the provisions of Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The Supreme Court did not comment on the merits or legality of Rule 3(1)(b)(v), saying the impact of the provision on the fundamental rights to free speech and expression would be analysed by the High Court.