Internet censorship in India: the law and beyond

Banerjee, Arpan (2017) Internet censorship in India: the law and beyond. In: Digital Democracy in a Globalized World. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, pp. 325-342. ISBN 9781785363955

[thumbnail of [9781785363955 - Digital Democracy in a Globalized World] Chapter 15_ Internet censorship in India_ the law and beyond.pdf]
Preview
Text
[9781785363955 - Digital Democracy in a Globalized World] Chapter 15_ Internet censorship in India_ the law and beyond.pdf

Download (292kB) | Preview

Abstract

The internet has enabled individuals to air opinions in a largely unregulated space. Laws censoring the internet are thus widely opposed in democratic societies. However, censorship is a complex phenomenon. This chapter begins by questioning the notion of censorship as a legally sanctioned prior restraint on speech. The chapter argues that censorship should be viewed in a broader social and political context, and can assume a variety of different forms. With this premise, the chapter refers to the judgment of the Indian Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v Union of India. The judgment, which saw the Supreme Court strike down a draconian provision of India’s Information Technology Act, has been celebrated in the mainstream media. However, the impact of the judgment may be limited as the concept of internet censorship should be viewed beyond the semantics of legislation. Thus, the harassment of citizens for political speech – which led to the case – could continue through other methods

Item Type: Book Section
Keywords: Internet | Cenzorship | Judgment | Law
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Law and Legal Studies
JGU School/Centre: Jindal Global Law School
Depositing User: Amees Mohammad
Date Deposited: 08 May 2022 06:59
Last Modified: 08 May 2022 06:59
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781785363962
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/2902

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item