Disinformation and misinformation has been earmarked as a ‘global risk’, causing ‘information pollution’ that adversely impacts decision making and socio-economic and political stability. Part – II intends to explore the evolving interpretation of the theory of ‘marketplace of ideas’ under Article 19(1)(a) to point out that disinformation and misinformation on government affairs distorts the foundation of democracy, i.e., truth. Accordingly, the article emphasises on the need to fact-check in order to ensure plurality of views based on factually true information, since discourse based on false information makes the citizen's participation in democracy a futile exercise.
Regulating Social Media: Constitutional Rights and the Digital Public Square
The article brings out the inconsistency of social media self regulation by analyzing pertinent issues regarding free speech, censorship and power of tech companies over public discourse, in light of the banning of Former U.S President Donald Trump's Twitter handle. The article refers to key Constitutional principles in navigating these ambivalent issues.