Freedom of speech and expression on social media in context of section 66A of information and Technology Act- an evaluation (সামাজিক মাধ্যমে বাক ও মতামত প্রকাশের অধিকার প্রসঙ্গে তথ্য প্রযুক্তি আইনের ৬৬ এ ধারা – ভারতের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে একটি বিশ্লেষণ)

Abstract

New media or social media is a popular part of freedom of speech today. The controversial Article 66A; has repeatedly stifled that freedom. A law that lasted for almost 3 years, ended on May 25, 2015. The Supreme Court of India rejected Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

             According to Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, the police could arrest any person for the crime of publishing any objectionable statement or picture on a website, email, Facebook or Twitter through a computer. It is a punishable offense if any person gives any information by computer or any other means, which is highly offensive or obscene, or highly objectionable, or inconvenient or dangerous or insulting. That is, if a person sends or posts any information of an offensive or harmful character through a computer or sends any false information with the intention of causing annoyance, inconvenience or to obstruct or insult someone, then that person can be imprisoned for up to 3 years and fined.

              In 2015, the country's top court ruled that this clause strikes at the very core of freedom of speech and expression (Article 19(1) (a) of the Indian Constitution). Supreme Court opines that, Article 66A directly deals with the right of the people to know. Freedom of speech and expression, is an important fundamental right. Right to information and freedom to acquire knowledge of citizen, is directly hindered by Article 66A.