Journalist bodies in India have raised serious concerns over a controversial provision in the Uttar Pradesh government’s Digital Media Policy-2024. The clause in question, Section 7(2), has been criticized for granting the government sweeping powers to label any content as “anti-social” or “anti-national,” including legitimate journalistic work. This has led to fears of a crackdown on freedom of expression and press freedom in the state.
The Controversial Clause 7(2)
Section 7(2) of the Digital Media Policy-2024 empowers the Uttar Pradesh government to take legal action against content creators if their work is deemed to be “anti-national,” “anti-social,” or if it paints the government in a negative light. The policy also intends to financially reward content creators who promote government initiatives, which has further alarmed journalist bodies. The concern is that this provision could be misused to silence legitimate criticism and penalize journalists for doing their job.
Impact on Press Freedom
Journalist organizations, including the Press Club of India and the Indian Women’s Press Corps, have condemned the clause, stating that it infringes on the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. They argue that the clause is “draconian” and “unconstitutional,” as it allows the government to act as the judge, jury, and executioner, thus creating a conflict of interest. The policy has been compared to the invalidated Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, which was struck down by the Supreme Court for its vagueness.
Conflict of Interest and Concerns
The organizations have also pointed out that the policy seems designed to reward those who act as “proxy propagandists” for the government while penalizing bona fide journalism. This creates a dangerous precedent where the government could potentially control the narrative and suppress dissent. The clause has been described as a violation of both the Constitution and the principles of natural justice.
The Call for Withdrawal
In light of these concerns, journalist bodies have called for the immediate withdrawal of Section 7(2) from the Digital Media Policy-2024. They emphasize that a free and independent media is crucial for a functioning democracy, as it holds elected representatives and the government accountable to the public.
