The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to introduce laws to regulate the social media platforms and hold Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter directly responsible for spreading fake news and hate speeches.
While hearing the PIL, the Chief Justice of India said that the Court will issue a notice to the Centre and tag it with a pending plea that has sought the introduction of a media tribunal to handle complaints against the media, channels and networks.
The Court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Vineet Jindal who has sought directions to the Centre for introducing a mechanism for automatic removal of hate speeches and fake news within a short period.
The plea even referred to a few communal violence incidents that happened in the country where social media was misused. The plea also stressed the wider reach of social media when compared to traditional media. According to reports, the petition was filed in the wake of two tweets by the name of one Armin Navabi (@ArminNavabi) against the Hindu goddess using derogatory terms.
On January 25, the Supreme Court had sought responses from the Centre, Press Council of India (PCI) and News Broadcasters Association (NBA) on different PIL which has sought implementation of a media tribunal to handle complaints against the media, channels and networks.
