Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
4. The new guidelines to regulate digital content give the executive unbridled power without any checks and balances making it contra-constitutional. Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article presents a detailed analysis of the new guidelines to regulate digital content.
Key Demand of the question:
One must analyse in what way such guidelines can be contra-constitutional.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with elaboration of the features under the new guidelines for regulation of digital content.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Explain the fact that the guidelines virtually undermine the enabling provisions of Article 19 of the Constitution and weaponised the restrictive clause of reasonable restriction, without really spelling out what constitutes reasonable restriction.
Under the guidelines, it appears as if the citizens have been empowered and that there is now a fair grievance redressal mechanism for users of digital platforms. The guidelines include social media sites, messaging apps, over-the-top streaming services (popularly known as OTT services), and digital news publishers.
List down more lacunae and suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
