[Fsf-friends] Govt gearing up to gag websites

[Harish Singh]

It appears that the Union government is getting ready to throw free 
speech and due process provisions into the pit. The provisions in the 
act don't just specify news articles, but a broad range of information 
like blogs.

 From article by Manoj Mitta,Times of India, 22nd May 2009,

"Under the draft rules framed under section 69A of the IT amendment Act, 
every state or Central government department will be empowered to decide 
whether a certain news item, article, blog or advertisement relating to 
its jurisdiction is safe to remain on the Net.

Once somebody sends a "complaint" against any information displayed on 
the Net, the department concerned will take a call on whether the matter 
in question affects any of the six concerns mentioned in section 69A: 
interest of sovereignty or integrity of India, defense of India, 
security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public 
order or incitement to commit any cognizable offense relating to the 
other five reasons."

See more here :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Govt-gearing-up-to-gag-news-websites/articleshow/4562292.cms

- Harish