Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: The J&K Regional Branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration hosted 11th Sat Paul Sahni Memorial Lecture on the topic of “Social Media: Right of Free Expression or Threat to Peace & Harmony”.
Praveen Swami, Group Consulting Editor of Network 18, New Delhi, delivered the memorial lecture while B R Sharma (IAS-Retd), Chairman, IIPA JKRB presided over the function.
In his scholarly and illuminating lecture on the topic, Praveen Swami made a strong case for allowing free speech and expression and argued that there is no empirical evidence to corroborate the relationship between social media and disharmony perceptions. Recalling many historical international and national incidents of violence, he said that such incidents occurred even when social media was not in existence.
Praveen Swami was of the opinion that empirical evidences should be taken into account while framing social media policies to ensure and encourage free expression. Looking at the brighter aspect of social media, he said that this new form of media has helped in raising and amplifying the voices of a common man.
Dr Ashok Bhan, Patron of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch and former DGP of J&K Police, emphasized upon the mix of self-restraint and enforcement that can bring in some kind of discipline and responsible behaviour among users of social media. He was of the view that the State, the legislature and the courts must intervene to ensure that the right to expression is not used as a license to cause social disaffection thereby threatening the unity and integrity as also health of the economy.
B R Sharma, said that the freedom of speech should not be treated as an absolute right and reasonable self-restraint should be exercised. He said that there is need for judicious checks and balances on the use and abuse of social media with some penal provisions in the larger interest of the peace, harmony and integrity of the nation.
K B Jandial (IAS-Retd), Director Seminars, said that India is the world’s largest open internet society and in order to ensure the judicious use of social media, these companies have been made accountable to the Constitution and the laws which will help in strengthening peace and harmony.
Er JBS Johar, Vice-Chairman, IIPA paid glowing tributes to the memory of late Sat Paul Sahni, who was one of founding members of IIPA.
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