Lagatar24 Desk
The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concerns about fake news being spread through web portals and social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, while also expressing concerns that such social media giants do not even respond to judges.
Such digital and social media platforms listen only to powerful men and there is no accountability towards judicial institutions, the Court noted.
“I have not come across any public channel, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.. They never respond to us and there is no accountability, about the institutions they have written badly and they don’t respond and say this is their right,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana remarked.
The CJI further said that many a time, communal colour is given to news disseminated on such platforms, bringing a bad name to the country, reports Bar and Bench.
“If you go to YouTube you can see how many fake news is there. Web portals are not governed by anything. There is an attempt to give communal colour to news and that is the problem. It ultimately brings bad name to the country,” the CJI said.
The Court was hearing a plea by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Peace Party seeking directions to stop media outlets from allegedly spreading fake news by linking the spread of COVID-19 with the Tablighi Jamaat congregation that took place at Nizamuddin in Delhi in March 2020.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta responded by saying that the new Information Technology Rules, 2021 attempt to regulate social and digital media.
“This is what is taken care under IT Rules,” he said.
He also requested that a transfer petition filed by the Centre regarding challenges to the IT Rules pending before various High Courts be placed before the CJI’s Court.
“Please place the transfer plea before you which deals with IT Rules. Different High Courts are passing different orders. Your Lordship can have a holistic picture, as it is an all-India issue,” he submitted.
The CJI agreed and proceeded to list the transfer plea along with present case by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Peace Party.
The matter will be heard again after six weeks.
