New IT Rules prevent fake news, misuse of freedom of press: Centre tells HC

The Centre has defended the legality of the new Information Technology (IT) Rules before the Delhi High Court, saying that the rules seek to “prevent the misuse of the freedom of press” and protect the citizens from fake news in digital media space which used to be largely unregulated. The Centre, in its counter affidavit filed on a challenge to the constitutional validity of the new IT Rules, has submitted that although the right to freedom of speech and expression, including the freedom of the press, is critical for a vibrant democracy like India, citizens “cannot be treated as passive consumers.”

The Centre has defended the legality of the new Information Technology (IT) Rules before the Delhi High Court, saying that the rules seek to “prevent the misuse of the freedom of press” and protect the citizens from fake news in digital media space which used to be largely unregulated. The Centre, in its counter affidavit filed on a challenge to the constitutional validity of the new IT Rules, has submitted that although the right to freedom of speech and expression, including the freedom of the press, is critical for a vibrant democracy like India, citizens “cannot be treated as passive consumers.” September 01, 2021 at 07:10AM https://ift.tt/3juTlxS