Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Bombay High Court has declared the 2023 amendments to the IT Rules as unconstitutional and struck them down. These amendments proposed the establishment of fact-checking units to identify and remove “false and misleading” information on social media, which was the focus of the central government’s plan. The court ruled that giving such units powers without sufficient oversight could strengthen government control over online discussions, which would be a violation of the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression.
The amendments granted the government the authority to control misleading information related to its work on social media platforms. This raised concerns among several media and civil society organizations, as it would have given the government excessive control, potentially stifling legitimate rights to criticism and dissent.
In the world’s largest democracy like India, the importance of diverse opinions and debates cannot be overstated. While misinformation is a significant problem in the digital age, censorship cannot be the solution. The Bombay High Court made it clear that any attempt to regulate online content must be transparent, inclusive, and in line with constitutional principles of freedom of expression.
This verdict will likely prompt the government to reconsider and adopt a more collaborative and less intrusive approach to addressing this issue. Empowering independent fact-checking bodies, promoting digital literacy, and encouraging self-regulation by social media platforms are more effective strategies that align with democratic values.
Amid growing global challenges to freedom of expression, the Bombay High Court’s decision reaffirms the principles of democracy, ensuring that the digital public sphere remains a space for open dialogue rather than one dominated by government control.
