Panel calls out fake news threat
A parliamentary panel led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has called fake news a “serious threat” to public order and democracy, recommending legal amendments, stricter penalties and accountability for media, publishers and platforms. The report urges mandatory fact-checking mechanisms and internal ombudsmen in all media formats. It also suggests AI tools with human oversight, licensing for AI content creators and media literacy in education. The committee emphasises inter-ministerial collaboration, including an international task force. Concerns about algorithmic amplification and the “safe harbour” clause were raised, pushing for tighter regulation and digital grievance redressal mechanisms to combat misinformation effectively.
Regional parties earn Rs 2,532 Crore
According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 40 regional political parties declared a combined income of Rs 2,532.09 crore in FY 2023-24, with over 70 per cent sourced from electoral bonds. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) led with Rs 685.51 crore, followed by Trinamool Congress and Biju Janata Dal. Top five parties made up over 83 per cent of total income. ADR flagged delays in audit report submissions and noted a sharp 45.77 per cent income rise from the previous year. While most parties had surplus income, 12, including YSR Congress and DMK, overspent. Electoral bonds accounted for Rs 1,796 crore.
Nepal: Ex-envoys urge caution
Former Indian ambassadors have urged New Delhi to monitor the unrest in Nepal closely, citing a troubling pattern of regional instability, as seen in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. While calling for non-intervention, they emphasised protecting Indian citizens and interests. Experts dismissed China’s involvement in this crisis but highlighted broader turbulence across South Asia, calling for India’s strategic diplomatic vigilance.
Unrest grips France again
Protests erupted across France on Wednesday against President Macron and Government budget cuts, coinciding with the appointment of new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Though the “Block Everything” movement fell short of full paralysis, it sparked widespread disruptions, fires, and clashes with police, resulting in over 250 arrests. Protesters targeted Paris’s beltway, burned a bus in Rennes, and damaged train lines. The unrest follows the collapse of the previous Government.