Context
The Supreme Court has raised concern over the unchecked spread of harmful, obscene, anti-national, and personally damaging user-generated content online. It noted that millions of innocent people become victims of online abuse, yet there is no clear regulatory mechanism to vet such content. Hence, the Court asked the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to frame guidelines for user-generated content.
Important Articles
1. Article 19(1)(a)
Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression
• Protects citizens’ right to express opinions, including online speech.
2. Article 19(2)
Reasonable Restrictions on Free Speech
• Allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions in the interests of:
• Sovereignty & integrity of India
• Security of the State
• Public order
• Decency or morality
• Contempt of court
• Defamation
• Incitement to an offence
• This is the core constitutional basis for regulating harmful user-generated content.
