//php print_r(get_the_ID()); ?>
The Bombay High Court struck down the Centre’s 2023 amendment that empowered a ‘fact-checking unit’ to remove alleged fake or misleading content about the government from digital platforms. The court ruled that such measures violated the right to free speech, as they were vaguely defined and lacked clear legal safeguards.
Background: In 2023, the government amended the IT rules to establish a fact-checking unit under the Press Information Bureau. Its role was to flag any information related to the central government and order the removal of content deemed ‘fake’, ‘false’, or ‘misleading’ from social media and digital platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc. These platforms would be required to remove the flagged content, and failure to comply could result in them losing their “safe harbour” protection from liability for user-generated content, potentially leading to legal action against the platforms.
Safe Harbour: Safe harbour refers to the legal protection granted to digital platforms, shielding them from liability for content posted by users. |
---|
The Bombay High Court’s decision to strike down the Centre’s fact-checking unit highlights the crucial balance between regulating misinformation and protecting free speech in a democracy. This ruling reaffirms the necessity for clear legal standards that uphold individual rights while ensuring accountability in the digital age.
Mains Question: |
---|
To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.
Tighten the Process: On the Election Commission of...
Consultative Regulation-Making that Should Go Furt...
India’s Stakes in the Coming Arctic Rush
RTE Quotas have Failed to Make School Education In...
Preparing for the New Normal Post-Operation Sindoo...
Judicial Sensitivity to Sentiments is a Sign of Re...
<div class="new-fform">
</div>