Supreme Court Cracks Down on Social Media: Govt Ordered to Frame New Guidelines by November
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to draft and present proposed guidelines to regulate content broadcast on social media platforms. The Court emphasized that these guidelines should be framed in consultation with the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) and the Digital Association. The matter will be heard again in November.
The apex court noted that influential figures often commercialize freedom of expression on social media, and their remarks risk hurting the sentiments of various sections of society—persons with disabilities, women, children, senior citizens, and minorities.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the government to prepare concrete guidelines for regulating conduct on social media, including online programs such as podcasts. The Court clarified that the guidelines must strike a balance between freedom of expression and the right to live with dignity.
The observations came during a hearing on comedian Samay Raina’s case regarding insensitive jokes about persons with disabilities. Justice Bagchi remarked that humor is an important part of life, but sensitivity cannot be compromised in its name. Justice Surya Kant added that such jokes undermine the constitutional goal of integrating disabled individuals into the mainstream.
The bench further stated that unless concrete consequences are defined for violations, people will continue to evade responsibility. Punishments must not be symbolic but proportionate to the harm caused. The Court stressed that its intention is not to curb freedom of speech, but to draw a clear line between offensive speech and free expression.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, assured that the proposed guidelines would primarily aim to sensitize social media users. However, he clarified that any violator would still have to accept full responsibility for their actions.