-A wolf in watchdog’s clothing
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: The Indian government’s move to police dissident voices through new digital media rules was flayed widely with the mainstream and digital media platforms and experts believing that it would have “chilling” effect on journalism.
Scared of mounting pressure of farmers protests and undeterred resolve of Kashmir people for their right to self-determination besides other anti-government movements, the Narendra Modi regime introduced The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Under the new set of rules, digital publications would be subject to oversight by the government-run committees, with the power to block publication of stories, remove stories, or even shut down entire websites.
Indian new law edges closer to the digital censorship of autocratic nation and could endanger the foundation to free expression online.
