Regulating Social Media: The Supreme Court on Balancing Free Speech and Dignity
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Fundamental Rights - Articles 19 & 21, Judiciary, Constitutional Bodies).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2: Indian Constitution—significant provisions; Fundamental Rights; Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.
General Studies Paper 3: Role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges.
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): Ethical issues in public and private life; Role of media; Freedom of expression and its ethical limitations.
Key Highlights from the News
The Supreme Court demanded that the central government formulate guidelines to regulate behavior on social media.
Social media influencers and online shows like podcasts will fall under the purview of these guidelines.
The court observed, "When free speech is commercialized, greater responsibility must be shown to avoid hurting the sentiments of vulnerable sections of society (persons with disabilities, women, children)."
This significant observation by the court was made in a case related to defamatory jokes about persons with disabilities.
The court clarified that there is a clear boundary required between free speech and hurtful speech, and these new guidelines should be able to define this boundary.
The court also directed that these guidelines should be strong enough to ensure proportionate consequences for violations.
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