Freedom of Internet

The copyright Amendment Bill  of 2011 has been passed just now after a year of it was tabled. It is meant to deal with issues in the cyberspace. The digital world and the spaces it offers need newer regulations. It is like updating our laws--the Indian laws enacted in 1957  will be conforming with norms of today's Internet.World Intellectual Property Organization and its laws have been incorporated with our laws. There is'IT Act' to settle issues.Internet offers a platform for innovation.But governments everywhere fear it because it can overthrow established political systems run by overlords.It can overthrow religious or cultural ideologies.Internet has made the individuals powerful and sharing of knowledge has brought the world closer together.Any censorship would be self-censorship.By giving Internet, you have given the whole world a new kind of freedom.We know that any control of the Internet will restrict our freedom of speech. The Internet has enhanced our freedom of speech to higher level. If at all there are offensive contents, they will be brought down immediately, but constant filtering will not be done. Filtering all contents is not possible also.Increased use of ICT is changing the Intellectual Property Rights in India. Regulations are constantly made.There is a constant need to invigilate the on line contents. Service providers were entrusted with managing and monitoring content produced by user. Internet companies are registered outside India, and not subject to Indian laws.Any control on the Internet will mean infringing our fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.Policing the Internet is not possible.Internet will strengthen our democracy but if controlled, it would threaten our democracy.Technology, in essence, has given us  new spaces to explore, learn, grow, communicate and make our government stronger.  There is prevalence of freedom to express world wide. And there is egalitarian values worldwide,we are constantly learning from that.There is a strong bond of humanity because of which Internet is being shared with us.Thank you for sharing the Internet with us.