The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed grave concern over news websites and social media platforms for spreading false news due to lack of a regulatory mechanism.
A bench headed by CJI N V Ramana was hearing a batch of petitions, seeking directions to the Centre to stop the dissemination of “fake news”.
CJI added that these portals write anything against the judge’s institutions without accountability and only listen to powerful voices.
The bench observed that “web portals are not governed by anything. There is an attempt to give communal colour to news and that is the problem. It ultimately brings a bad name to the country.”
CJI Ramana said“If you go to YouTube you can see how much fake news there is. Web portals are not governed by anything. There is an attempt to give communal colour to news and that is the problem. It ultimately brings a bad name to the country.”
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta responded by saying that the new Information Technology Rules, 2021 attempt to regulate social and digital media. “This is what is taken care of under IT Rules,” he said.
