TN govt to set up fact check and hate speech monitoring unit

Welcome to Powertrip, a newsletter exclusively curated for TNM Subscribers. In this issue, we talk about the TN government setting up a fact-checking unit, how no proof has been presented against MP Mahua Moitra and the TDP in Telangana. To read Powertrip every week, subscribe to TNM now..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes only..TN govt to set up unit to monitor hate speechThe Tamil Nadu government is going to set up a specialised unit that will monitor hate speech, disinformation, fake news, and also carry out fact-checking. The unit, TNM has learnt, will fall under the Department of Information and Public Relations. The idea was mooted by a top bureaucrat in the DMK government. State officials have already talked to domain experts and the work to set up the unit is in full swing.The state government plans to recruit over 100 people whose sole job will be to scan for hate speech and disinformation across social media platforms. While the Karnataka government has started a similar initiative – setting up a fact-checking cell to counter disinformation – sources told TNM that the TN unit is slightly different as it will mainly look into any incidents that could create communal tension. Nishikant & Jai offer no evidence against MahuaBJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Jai Anant Dehadrai, TMC MP Mahua Moitra’s former partner, appeared on October 26 before the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha inquiring into the ‘cash for query’ allegations against Mahua. While the two ended up deposing before the committee despite Opposition members raising objections, there was no new evidence or proof that was presented.Sources who attended the meeting told TNM that both Nishikant and Jai claimed to have a lot of documentary evidence against Mahua allegedly taking bribes in exchange for asking questions in Parliament about Adani. But when it came down to it, both the BJP MP and Mahua’s ex boyfriend had nothing to show besides their respective complaint letters.An MP told TNM that when Mahua’s friend Darshan Hiranandani appears before the committee, they will insist on proof that he logged in through her MP’s account, since the other two didn’t produce any. Naidu will take a call on TDP in TelanganaWill the TDP contest in Telangana? Not that the party is a big player in the state anymore, but it did win 2 seats in 2019. With Naidu in jail, the party has not announced a decision yet. Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena has aligned with the BJP. A source said that Naidu will make a decision during the weekend. TDP has only two choices for now: to contest alone or not to contest at all. Zero HourA political story of public importance The Broken Compact.Modi’s India replaces constitutional values with those of the RSS PowermovesTop 5 political stories The Sangh’s political recruitment of Ganapathy: A case study from KeralaThe contentious politics and economics behind DKS’s plan to make Bengaluru SouthThe outcast gods of Kerala: How untouchability prevails among TheyyamsTV debate on Telangana polls ends in violence, BRS MLA holds BJP candidate by his throatA small community of Buddhists in Dravidian land hopes to usher in a social revolution