Freedom of speech and expression in some form or the other has prevailed in every community and country right from the 5th Century B.C. In modern era , before discussing the characteristic features of some of the modern democracies that have guaranteed such a right, it may be appropriate to explain the basic concepts and nuances. We may also flag the name of ten countries wherein no freedom of speech and expression exists even at present and that every information has to flow through state agencies. These countries are: North Korea, Cuba, Libya, Syria, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea.
Freedom of Speech
2) It is guaranteed in U.SA. by the first amendment to country’s Constitution. In France, freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the citizen of 1789.It came into being immediately after the French Revolution. Further, Right to freedom of expression has been also recognized as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Human Rights Law by the U.N.O.
3) Many countries have enacted legislations that protect free speech. But certain restrictions have been also provided in matters of national security or public order, depending upon background and circumstances.
4) In India, Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution provides for freedom of expression to the fellow citizens. It states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek ,receive and impart information and ideas through ANY media and regardless of frontiers.”
It can be in form of written texts, word of mouth or any other form of communication. Further the mode can be through pictures, movies, broadcasting or electronic means.
5) FREEDOMS AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS ARE:
a) freedom of speech and expression,
b) freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms,
c) freedom to form associations and unions,
d) freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India,
e) freedom to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India and
f) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
6) Thus people everywhere can freely express themselves and also engage in public life without fear or discrimination. Freedom of expression like other Fundamental Rights provided by the Indian Constitution is not Absolute.
IT CAN BE RESTRICTED.
One has seen and experienced it during the days of Emergency( 1975-77). The common limitations or boundaries to such freedom may relate to libel, slander, obscenity, pornography, sedition, right to privacy and dignity etc.
Social Media
7) According to Wikipedia, “Social Media are interactive digital channels that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks.”
By this free medium one can contact ,convey and know the latest developments in regard to kith and kin, friends and well wishers ,contemporaries and elders. Socially relevant causes can be also espoused and awareness about an idea or innovation can be also generated. Not only one can learn something new but can also hone up skills and expertise.
FORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
8) Various forms of this Internet based means of communication are: blogs, micro blogs, social networking sites, photo and hobby sharing sites, video hosting sites and an opportunity to have access to Instant Messaging etc.
When so many social media sites are available on the Net, one should take time and adequate care in selecting the right one. According to one rough estimate, globally people spend an average of two hours and 24 minutes everyday on Social Media. It gradually influences their ideas and thinking process. Facebook has 2.9 Billion active users in a month, YouTube has 2.3 Billion, WhatsApp 2 Billion and Facebook Messenger & WeChat ,1.3 Billion each.
Controversies To Be Avoided
9) Freedom of expression does not mean that we should have ill will or an intention to harm others without any rhyme or reason. With rapid development and reach of technology or the evolution of digital age this freedom can ,rather has become controversial.
Advent of Internet, Mobile Telephony and now Social Media definitely are extending further precious rights of man for free communication of ideas and opinions. Social media being under individual control is having a profound effect on its users. One reacts instantly and immediately without waiting to verify or confirm an episode or event or without looking into the authenticity of its source. Very few people think about the adverse repercussion, a comment or observation may have.
10) Sometimes one sees same incidents or episodes, such as, Kisan Stirs, Shaheen Bagh dharna, Use of Bulldozer, Jahangirpuri and Kanpur disturbances, Nupur Sharma’s statements, Kanhaiya Lal’s beheading, Umesh Kolhe’s murder, Indian Justice system etc. making rounds and rounds in different languages.
On many occasions there is miscommunication or wrong targeting or an urge to generalise an issue based on one incident.
Not only one comments casually but also one feigns ignorance about a legal framework or defined redressal mechanism, if caught on wrong foot.
11) MERITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
In absence of authentic literature on this subject , an attempt has been made to cull out information available on internet and attempt an analysis.
a) Social Media can assist in pursuing good causes and practices by facilitating contact with like minded individuals. It can give a boost to voluntary donation and charity work,
b) One can connect easily with people one may desire from anywhere in country or World through this medium ,
c)Through this fast medium we can get upto date data and information which may be faster than television and much sooner than waiting for a newspaper or a magazine,
d) It may prove a bonanza to education and health sectors. Who may not desire latest developments in human resource development and medical science ? Tele-medicine can be further boosted and fine tuned.
e)For a business person it may prove helpful in advertisement, sale promotion, large audience for products with least possible investment and possibly risks,
f) Any one can use it to create select groups of people having common interest or hobby which may lessen normal tensions associated with ageing/ illness,
g) Its an advantage situation for all types of political parties. It has been proved so in many general, assembly and bye elections in India ,
h)Social media is a good source of entertainment and a voluntary means to pass time. We can share & exchange images and videos and access to some rare things may be also possible without undertaking a visit,
i)Above all, social media can boost creativity and intelligence and herald positive or fast forward thinking as well.
12) DEMERITS
a) It may, rather , is leading to many health issues, such as, damage to sleep cells leading to sleep disorder, depression, loneliness, headache, short temperedness and anxiety,
b) As it is a distraction in many ways, with passage of time, it may impact one’s future and career prospects,
c) One may have the false feeling that it helps in unwinding and killing time but in reality it may have adverse effects over youth and students,
d) Users of social media do become victims of forgeries and on line scams operated mostly with connivance of former bank employees,
e) Hacking is becoming very common on social media especially on sought after sites, such as, Facebook, Tiktok,Whatsapp and Twitter,
f) It reduces face to face communication skills which may result into anxiety and lack of confidence, at times,
g) After getting addicted to it, growth of children suffers. They get cut off from real world or society and may suffer from adjustment problems in a normal social gathering,
h) For the grown ups life may become sedentary for many hours during day as also night. Inclination to walk, talk or playing games may wither away gradually,
i) As majority of users have false social media accounts with a view to tease or get sarcastic pleasure, after sending photos and visuals, they become traceless. One can imagine the mental agony on the part of receivers,
j) Social media may lead to creation and dissemination of FAKE NEWS. Some people and organizations may create something on a hot or burning issue and post ,which can neither be verified nor confirmed,
k) Sometimes disrespectful and harmful comments may be also conveyed, especially in hurried up stage. At times, a person may not mean it but by the time realisation comes, damage is done.
13) TO SUM UP
Roots of social media have become deeper than imagined. It has the potential to become a competitor to the traditional print and electronic media. It is much faster apart from having a wide coverage. People who have no desire to write and comment get carried away. Emotions may override rational thinking. Some may have made fortunes also out of loopholes, one may not notice so quickly.
But anything which has a tendency to go astray may have negative repercussion and prove harmful to society at large in intent and content. Also unwanted Trial attempted through this medium may prove counter productive, one day.
There is immediate need to apply brakes to regulate the flow by coming out with viable and implementable measures subsequent to wide ranging discussions with all stake holders. One can not put the clock back. As thinking and well meaning beings one has to move ahead.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
