India

The report probes the far-reaching impact of internet shutdowns on fundamental rights, education, freedom of speech, and the economy.

The report traces this form of censorship done through blocking of websites, applications, and social media accounts in India.

With the advancement of access to the internet and the consequent manifold increase in using the internet as a platform for exercising speech and expression, there has also been an increase in censorship of expression. The report traces this form of censorship carried out through the blocking of websites, applications, and social media accounts in India.

The previous decade has witnessed an exponential increase in internet shutdowns in India with a total count of 690, out of which 110 had been implemented in the year 2021. The year 2022 has seen 75 shutdowns till the publication of this report.

PEN International’s freedom of expression report on India

The Supreme Court recognized privacy as a fundamental right in a landmark ruling in August 2017

In May, the Supreme Court ruled to retain criminal defamation, despite calls for decriminalization.

Authorities continue to use sedition and criminal defamation laws to prosecute citizens who criticise government officials or oppose state policies. In a blow to free speech, the government in 2016 argued before the Supreme Court in favour of retaining criminal penalties for defamation. The court upheld the law.

In the 27 cases of journalists murdered for their work in India since CPJ began keeping records in 1992, there have been no convictions. More than half of those killed reported regularly on corruption. The cases of Jagendra Singh, Umesh Rajput, and Akshay Singh, who died between 2011 and 2015, show how small-town journalists face greater risk in their reporting than those from larger outlets, and how India’s culture of impunity is leaving the country’s press vulnerable to threats and attacks

The government uses draconian laws such as the sedition provisions of the penal code, the criminal defamation law, and laws dealing with hate speech to silence dissent. These laws are vaguely worded, overly broad, and prone to misuse, and have been repeatedly used for political purposes against critics at the national and state level.

Authorities banned a documentary that chronicled the 2012 gang rape and death of a medical student in Delhi.

Over one million rally to protect net neutrality

Despite its Constitutional commitment to free speech, India’s legal system makes it surprisingly easy to silence others. Routine corruption, inefficiency, and the selective enforcement of vague and overbroad laws allow individuals, or small groups, to censor opinions they find distasteful. – See more at: http://www.pen-international.org/the-india-report-executive-summary-and-key-findings/#sthash.TIIM2xbu.dpuf

Ranked 80th in annual global media freedom report

The media in Tripura is still dependent on the government for financial help, giving them an unprecedented upper hand to control press freedom in the state. As long as the political party in power is satisfied, the media is deemed to be okay otherwise there is an incredible pressure on the journalists as they have to not only endure insults but also face demotion in rank as well as being refused accreditation. – See more at: https://samsn.ifj.org/media-in-north-eastern-state-of-tripura/#sthash.0GypROMb.dpuf

Ranked 78th in annual global media freedom report

Real-time digital surveillance system launched

“Big Brother up and running”

“Press is stifled by state-employed surveillance tactics”

Ranked 140th in annual press freedom index

System to monitor mobile phone and internet communications introduced

“The government has used security laws, criminal defamation legislation, hate-speech laws, and contempt-of-court charges to curb critical voices”

“One of the worst countries in the world at combating deadly anti-press violence”

Threats from mafia groups lead to a climate of self-censorship

“At least 12 RTI activists have been killed and several others assaulted over the past two years”