It’s tempting to say TV news channels asked for it with Sushant Singh Rajput ‘suicide’ coverage but Bombay HC seems to be erring on the other extreme by issuing guidelines. Laws and codes already exist. What’s required is their application. Democracy is stronger with a hyperactive, not a gagged media.
Govt mustn’t ask WhatsApp to change privacy policy. Overreach only hurts India’s ease of business
Government’s direction to WhatsApp to withdraw changes to its privacy norms is another instance of it playing nanny state. WhatsApp is a private, global company. Indians are smart and can exercise their choice to keep or dump the messenger. Such overreach can only hurt India’s ease of doing business reputation.
India’s vaccine diplomacy good soft power display. Global firms must access Indian markets too
India’s Covid vaccine shipments to neighbours is a good display of soft power and pharma leadership. But the government should also make it easy for global vaccine makers to access Indian markets, and make them available in private facilities. This shouldn’t become an occasion to beat the drums of self-reliance.
Ideally, the media – print, electronic, online – should regulate itself. Failing that, it is still better for guidelines to be framed by the Bombay High Court than the executive. Channels like Republic TV have been getting away with a lot.
Government night very well not ask a private company to withdraw it’s latest privacy terms but what is stopping this government from enacting data and privacy laws line the EU? Government needs to show urgency and hurt in enacting law for this just like it has shown for other fields.