The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed deep concern overweb portals, and YouTube channels publishing fake news, slandering reputationsin the absence of a regulatory mechanism, and also broadcast of communal news bya section of media. The top court emphasized if this were to continue uncheckedthen it may get a bad name for the country.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said:"On web portals, there is no control of anybody, they can publishanything...If you go to YouTube, you will find how fake news is freelycirculated and anyone can start a channel on YouTube."
The bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant and A.S.Bopanna observed that the content shown in a section of private media bears acommunal tone. "The problem is that everything in this country is shownwith a communal angle by a section of the media..," noted Justice Ramana.
He told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, "Ultimately,this country is going to get a bad name. Have you made an attempt for aself-regulatory mechanism (for these private channels)?"
Mehta submitted before the bench that Centre has come outwith new Information and Technology rules, which address concerns flagged bythe top court. He added that many petitions have been filed challenging the newrules in various high courts.
Mehta contended that the Centre has filed a plea totransfer all these petitions to the Supreme Court. Mehta added: "Not onlycommunal but also planted stories. These portals can even put fake news".
The Chief Justice added that the social media platformsdo not respond if an issue is raised in connection with the content.
"I have not come across any public channel, Twitter,Facebook or YouTube ... they never respond to us and there is noaccountability, about the institutions they have written badly about, and theydon't respond and say this is their right," said the Chief Justice. Hefurther added this is the condition of institutions and forget the individuals.
Mehta replied, "This is what is taken care of underthe IT rules".
Chief justice added, "Do not know who toapproach...they are only concerned with the people who are powerful... judges,common man, they are not bothered." He added, "This is what we haveseen".
Mehta submitted before the bench requesting it totransfer the plea before it which deals with the IT rules. "Your lordshipcan have a holistic picture as it is an all-India issue", he added.
The top court made these sharp observations during thehearing of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind petition seeking action against media reportsaccused of "communal branding of Covid" linked to the Tablighi Jamaatgathering at Markaz Nizamuddin in the national capital.