SC expresses concern over web portals & YouTube channels "running rampant with fake news

NEW DELHI: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) court today heard a petition seeking effective media regulation.

Hearing the petition, the CJI bench has also expressed concern over the web portals and YouTube channels "running rampant with fake news and slandering of reputations in the absence of a regulatory mechanism."

CJI Ramana said, " They only listen to powerful voices and write anything against judges and institutions with no accountability. They do not even respond to us ."

"I am not sure why everything is given a communal spin. They claim we are not responsible. On social media, institutions and judges are vilified," Ramana further stated.

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The remarks were made during the hearing of a petition filed by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the Peace Party regarding the communalization of news about the spread of COVID-19 following the Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Delhi.

The Supreme Court (SC) also agreed to transfer all cases challenging the amended IT Rules and Cable TV rules to itself, expressing deep concern about the "unregulated" transmission of fake news and false information on social media platforms.

It has further asked the Centre to look into the regulations of social and digital media upon noting that TV and print media have self-regulation as well as statutory regulations.

SC  will also hear the National Broadcasting Standards Authority's (NBSA) petition against the Cable Rules Amendment.

The hearing will be completed in six weeks, said the Supreme.

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