Social Networking Media and Freedom of Expression

The recent news coming out of India concerning proposed crackdownon social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter has been extremelydisturbing.  In a recent statement, SriKapil Sibal, the federal communications minister belonging the Congress party threatenedstrict action against these social networking sites to ensure that ‘blasphemousmaterial’ did not get on the internet. India vows crackdown on offensive internet content

The mere thought that a big brother government may belooking over the internet monitoring its content is a clear indication that ithas some ulterior motives.  Mr. Sibal,who is famous for his unconcealed sycophancy towards to the family of SoniaGandhi, sprang into action when some ‘offensive’ photos of his boss appeared onthese social networking sites. 

People should take this threat seriously as the Congress partyhas a long history of suppressive dictatorial rule in India.  Deep physical wounds of emergency of the 70s mayhave healed but mental and emotional scars are still a reality for many.  During this period, under Indira Gandhi’s premiership,freedom of expression and press, among other fundamental rights were severelycurtailed.  Then in 1987, there was anotherattempt to curtail the power of the press. This time, it was Indira Gandhi’s son Rajiv Gandhi and his Congressgovernment that initiated the Anti Defamation Bill but was forced to withdrawamid strong all-around protest. Additionally, Rajiv Gandhi also initiated the Postal Bill which wouldhave given the government unlimited freedom to intercept private mail.  But the Bill never saw the daylight, thanksto the then President Giani Zail Singh, who refused to sign it and let itexpire.

And finally, since when the politicians became so ‘sacred’that an act or utterance against them, no matter how offensive they are, become‘blasphemous’?  It definitely points towhere Mr. Sibal puts his boss and her family in his pantheon.  In his statement, Sibal sounds very similarto government officials of China,and other non-democratic regimes of the world. In the backdrop of the role of social media during the anti-corruptioncampaign of Anna Hazare, Mr. Sibal’s utterances assume strong significance.