The Internet Controversy
Finally, the technology giant Google has openly spoken out on the controversy over the objectionable content posted
on its website. As expected, Google’s Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora said it was not possible for the company to monitor everything on its
website. He even warned that the censorship, if imposed, can even taint the growth of the Indian economy. “We cannot censor the web. We cannot
censor the ability of people to express themselves around the world. I think what we are trying to explain is the enormity of what is being asked. You
are asking not just censor the web in India, you are asking to censor the entire world wide web. The web has no borders. I think some of the things
are done a bit too hastily for our liking. And we will like to have real conversation around some of these issues and we feel some engagement has
happened but we prefer more dialogue before people rush to take action on what I believe is not a fully formed idea. I think the idea of censoring
everything and pre-clearing everything is going to fundamentally, sort of, taint the growth of the Indian economy in India and vis-a-vis the
world,” he was quoted as having said by a national television channel. However, on the other hand, the Delhi high court seems to be adamant on
penalizing Google and Facebook for what it says endorsing inappropriate content. In the latest developments, the charge sheet against these media
sites and some others is approved for hearing in the court. Google and Facebook are among 21 companies whose executives have been summoned to appear
in person in a lower court in Delhi on March 13 for allegedly hosting obscene and objectionable content. The companies have challenged the summons in
the High Court. The next hearing is due on February 2. The court had earlier warned Google and others to remove the spam content or face action.
Justice Suresh Kait had maintained that the court is going to take stringent actions and impose ban on these sites in the similar manner as already
done in China if they fail to abide by the rules. The courts observations had triggered a heated debate across the country. While many have claimed
that it was impossible to ban these websites, the signals from the centre as well as the court are not very encouraging for those, who have always
stood for the freedom of expression. The controversial issue had first come to the fore last month when Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal held meetings
with the officials from Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Yahoo after ‘offensive’ material particularly against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi
and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was put on the net. And after the centre’s request for cooperation from them fell on ‘deaf ears’,
Sibal while maintaining that the government does not want to interfere with the freedom of the press said if the social networking sites are not
willing to cooperate with the government on stopping incendiary material ‘then it is the duty of the government to think of steps that we
need’.
Given that their lives have become dependent on the internet in particular Google, the people would be hoping that the face-off
between the government and these companies does not snowball into something bigger. These websites have penetrated deep into the roots of this country
and today constitute the best common platforms of opinion sharing and thought exchange. No doubt, a lot of objectionable content is posted on the net
but the government should understand that it is also not possible for Google to constantly monitor the ‘objectionable’ content. Moreover,
there is no set definition of the term ‘objectionable’ and it varies from one place to another.
[editorial-State Observer-Jan 29,
2012]
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