OTT, social media content

Apropos of ‘Tough norms for social media, OTT platforms,’ the government has taken a right step towards a constant vigil on the content of Over The Top (OTT) platforms and digital media. OTT platforms have been hugely banking on violence, bloodshed and barbarism. Sexual violence, objectification of women, brutalisation of female characters and the male gaze occupy a major chunk of the screen time on their contents to cater to the adrenaline rush of the consumers, specifically the youth, but in fact are tarnishing their minds. The social media, on the other hand, has become a tool to breach the peace and harmony of the country. One hopes that the new stringent guidelines will make some difference.

Tushar Anand, Patna

Checks on social media

To prevent the misuse of social media, the government has introduced new rules that make it mandatory for platforms such as WhatsApp to aid it in identifying the ‘originator’ of certain messages containing unlawful information, while also requiring social media platforms to remove such content within 36 hours of being notified. Now onwards, social media platforms will also be required to provide information, including those related to verification of identity, to lawfully authorised agencies, within the stipulated time period. The rules come close on the heels of a tussle between the government and Twitter over removal of certain content related to the ongoing farmers’ protests. The government has also been at loggerheads with WhatsApp over tracing the originator of messages. These new rules provide for some checks on OTT and social media platforms and they should respond in a positive manner.

Vandana, Chandigarh

Vaccination strategy

Apropos of ‘Vaccination booster’, with private sector participation, India’s vaccination strategy is making a welcome shift with greater choice. Now, senior citizens and those with co-morbidity can hope to get jabs at private centres at a fixed price. The challenge now is to ensure that new beneficiary categories and vaccination sites can boost full capacity utilisation. Some of these shifts can contribute towards this end. More people having their choice of the provider will provide a fillip to the vaccination drive.

Lal Singh, Amritsar

Shanta’s observations

Reference to ‘Shanta in his book’, for any right thinking Indian, the news will come as a shock but it is not quite unknown in the Indian political landscape. A BJP veteran, Shanta Kumar has commended Vajpayee for having always sworn by the politics of principles and says he has had no regrets over his own stand taken in public life. His comments should be taken in the right spirit by the party to improve its functioning.

BM Singh, Amritsar

Idea of MSP

Justice Gurnam Singh’s idea of state funding to core agriculture sector and MSP on agricultural produce is a proven ideology which brought the country out of food scarcity. In our country, around 70 per cent of the population is directly and indirectly engaged in agriculture sector which not only provides employment but also gives consumers to industrial products. The government should repeal the three laws which are not in the interest of the farming community. Instead, policies should be framed to bring about the needed changes to conserve the depleted natural resources for a healthy climate.

Mukhtiar Singh, via mail

Naming a stadium

Unnecessary hullabaloo is being made over the renaming of the Motera stadium in Gujarat after PM Modi. Those who raise a hue and cry should realise that this is not for the first time in India that an international stadium has been named after a leader. So many stadiums are named after leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and so on. Even airports and railway stations have been named after prominent personalities. Instead of making a mountain out of a mole hill, the Opposition should concentrate on dealing with the problems affecting the daily lives of the people.

M Pradyu, Kannur

Sedition law

The existing sedition law is a legacy of colonial rule and was designed to silence dissent. However, it is surprising that such law continues to remain in place. It has become an effective tool to silence the voice of opposition. No political party that has been in power from time to time can deny the misuse of this sedition law. This law is now a threat to democracy. It is time to abolish it and enact a fresh law to safeguard national interests.

Ravi Bhushan, Kurukshetra

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribunemail.com