‘Obliterates freedom to publish, right to access’: Editors Guild files plea against IT rules amendments
The centre said it will not notify the amendments till July 10.
After the Editors Guild of India and the Association of Indian Magazines filed petitions against the April amendment to the IT Rules, the Bombay High Court tagged both petitions to a plea in the same matter filed by comedian Kunal Kamra.
According to LiveLaw, the central government simultaneously extended its stay on notifying the amendment to July 10.
The amendment, originally notified on April 6, said social media companies and other intermediaries must take down content deemed fake by a government fact-check unit. It was widely criticised by press groups, opposition leaders and journalists. Kamra’s plea, filed a few days later, said the rules “have a chilling effect and are enough to chill people”.
The Guild’s petition also challenged the constitutional validity of the amendment for “violating the right to freedom of speech and expression”.
Support Independent Media
The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.
ContributeNewslaundry has reported on length on the controversies surrounding the amendment and why it’s a blow for press freedom. Read about it here.
Power NL-TNM Election Fund
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.
Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?