The Hindu Editorial (Draconian rules) – Apr 10, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (Draconian rules) – Apr 10, 2023:

draconian (adjective) – (of laws or punishments) extremely harsh, severe, strict, stringent, tough, oppressive.
The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (noun) – it has been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011. It empowers ordinary users of social media, embodying a mechanism for the redressal and timely resolution of their grievances. Rules about digital media and OTT focuses more on in house and self-regulation mechanism whereby a robust grievance redressal mechanism has been provided while upholding journalistic and creative freedom. The guidelines have been framed keeping in mind the difference between viewership in a theatre and television as compared to watching it on the Internet.
IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (noun) – issued on 6th April, 2023, these Amendment Rules amend the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These amendments creates a comprehensive framework for Online Gaming Eco-system and also deals with Fact checking related to online content pertaining to Government.
intermediary (noun) – social media website, eCommerce website, blogging platform, search engine, telecom provider, Internet platform (hosting user-generated content), cloud provider, etc.
amount to (verb) – be equal to, be equivalent to, be tantamount to, represent.
censorship (noun) – the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information, on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient.
advent (noun) – arrival, appearance, emergence.
evolution (noun) – progress, advancement, progression, development.
sphere (noun) – an area/field of activity; arena, domain, realm, field, territory, area.
relatively (adverb) – comparatively, to a certain extent, somewhat.
unfettered (adjective) – unrestrained, unrestricted, unconstrained, free, unchecked, unconfined, uncontrolled.
misinformation (noun) – disinformation, false information, alternative fact, fake news, false rumour.
grotesque (adjective) – ridiculous, outrageous, inappropriate, shocking; strange, bizarre.
express (adjective) – rapid, swift, fast, quick, speedy, prompt.
measure (noun) – action, step, procedure.
curb (verb) – limit, restrict, control.
regulating (adjective) – supervising, overseeing, monitoring, checking, inspecting.
entity (noun) – organization, establishment, body, unit.
provision (noun) – clause, requirement, condition, stipulation.
safe harbour (noun) – a place of safety; something that provides safety/protection; a regulatory provision that provides protection/safety. (The Indian government is reconsidering a key aspect of cyberspace — ‘safe harbour’, which is the principle that so-called ‘intermediaries’ on the internet are not responsible for what third parties post on their website. This is the principle that allows social media platforms to avoid liability for posts made by users).
Section 79 in The Information Technology Act, 2000 (noun) – Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 exempts intermediaries from liability in certain instances. It states that intermediaries will not be liable for any third-party information, data, or communication link made available by them.
liability (noun) – accountability, responsibility, legal responsibility, answerability.
Section 69A of IT Act, 2000 (noun) – Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, was introduced by an amendment to the Act in 2008. It gives the Central government the power to block public access to any information online — whether on websites or mobile apps.
elucidate (verb) – explain, clarify, make clear.
takedown (noun as modifier) – removal of a content (in reply to a formal request).
bypass (verb) – circumvent, avoid, dodge, sidestep.
fall/run afoul of (phrase) – get into trouble, come into conflict with, go against (by not following rules/standards).
allowance (noun) – permission, consent, granting, authorization.
oversight (noun) – supervision, inspection, management, controlling/handling, direction.
sit on (phrasal verb) – suppress, repress, squelch or silence someone/something forcefully; to force someone not to do something.
scrutiny (noun) – examination, inspection, investigation.
critical (adjective) – censorious, condemnatory, condemning, castigatory, reproving, disparaging, disapproving, scathing, criticizing.
commentary (noun) – comments, opinions, remarks, reports, analysis.
comply with (phrasal verb) – follow, obey, conform to, adhere to, abide by.
immunity (noun) – exemption, exclusion, exception, indemnity, freedom, exemption from punishment, freedom from punishment.
flag (verb) – indicate, point out, identify; draw attention to something.
intend (verb) – plan, aim, think of, expect, want.
chilling (adjective) – frightening, terrifying, disturbing/horrifying.
Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India (noun) – It states that, “all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression”.
the establishment (noun) – the authority, the government, the powers that be, the ruling class, the regime.
the executive (noun) – the executive is a branch of government that enforces the law as written by the legislature and interpreted by the judiciary.
of the day (phrase) – existing at a particular period of time; incumbent, reigning, present, in power, in office.
keep someone on their toes (phrase) – to remain alert and ready to deal with anything might happen.
non-negotiable (adjective) – inviolable, undebatable, unchallengeable.
salient (adjective) – important, main, major, primary, notable.
guarantee (verb) – assure, promise, support, back, vow.
Article 19 of the Constitution of India (noun) – Right to Freedom; it deals with “Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.”
free speech (noun) – the right to express one’s opinions publicly (without any restraint).
it stands to reason (phrase) – it is obvious, it is logical, it is sensible, it is understandable.
keep at arm’s length (phrase) – avoid being very close to someone/something; stay clear of, keep away from, keep one’s distance from.
arbiter (noun) – judge, referee; authority, arbitrator.
constitute (verb) – comprise, amount to, compose, form, represent.
act upon (phrasal verb) – to take action because of something.