The Hindu Editorial (Freedom and security) – Feb 17, 2021

By calling on social media platforms operating in India to follow the law of the land, as it did last week in Parliament, the government has not just stated the seemingly obvious but also delivered a warning… For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Freedom and security) – Feb 17, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Freedom and security) – Feb 17, 2021:

freedom of speech (noun) – the right to express opinions without government interference.
aid (noun) – assistance, support, help.
impediment (noun) – hindrance, obstacle, obstruction.
call on (phrasal verb) – demand, appeal to, ask, request.
law of the land (phrase) – it refers to all of the laws in effect within a country.
seemingly (adverb) – apparently, evidently, outwardly.
ought (not) to (modal verb) – must (not), should (not).
defy (verb) – resist, take a stand against, confront.
incendiary (adjective) – inflammatory, provocative, agitational, arousing, controversial.
propagate (verb) – spread, disseminate, communicate.
Capitol (noun) – In the United States, the Capitol is a building in Washington in which the US Congress meets.
ransack (verb) – hunt through, search (through), rake through, turn inside out.
microblogging (noun) – it refers to the act of creating concise posts for short audience interactions, often on common microblogging platforms such as Twitter and Tumblr. In addition to text, a post on a microblog can include links, audio, images, and even video.
stand in (phrasal verb) – do duty, act as deputy, substitute/deputize.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
on the ground (phrase) – in a situation/place where things are happening really/practically.
appreciate (verb) – understand, acknowledge, recognize, realize.
activist (noun) – a person who supports a political or societal change/cause.
eventually (adverb) – in the end, in due course, after some time.
comply (verb) – abide by, adhere to, conform to.
realm (noun) – area, field, domain (of activity).
counter-statement (noun) – opposite, refutation, rebuttal, countering.
keep up (phrasal verb) – continue, keep on with, go on with, carry on with, persist with.
for the time being (phrase) – for now, for the moment, for the present; for a short time, for a little while; temporarily.
short of (phrase) – without going so far as; less than.
defiant (adjective) – resistant, obstinate, uncooperative, non-compliant, confrontational, challenging.
escalate (verb) – increase, accelerate, intensify, heighten.
contentious (adjective) – controversial, disputable, debatable, disputed.
come under (phrasal verb) – be subjected to (an authority).
scrutiny (noun) – examination, inspection, investigation.
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.
Section 69A (1) of IT Act, 2000 (noun) – It empowers the Central Government (or any of its authorised officers) to direct, by written order, any Government agency or intermediary to block (or have blocked) public access to any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.
Section 69A (2) of IT Act, 2000 (noun) – It explicitly states: ‘The procedure and safeguards subject to which such blocking for access by the public may be carried out, shall be such as may be prescribed.
Section 69A (3) of IT Act, 2000 (noun) – Under this Act, an intermediary that does not comply with a direction for blocking is liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and with a fine.
Information Technology Act (noun) – it is an Act of the Indian Parliament notified on 17 October 2000. It is the primary law in India dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce.
intermediary (adjective) – the social media website, eCommerce website, blogging platform, search engine, discussion board etc.
ground (noun) – reason, factor, basis, rationale, premise.
public order (noun) – it is essentially the absence of disorder – the quiet and orderly behaviour of people in public space. It involves people behaving sensibly and rationally, and respecting others.
uphold (verb) – preserve, protect, maintain; vindicate/validate.
constitutionality (noun) – the condition of acting in accordance with an applicable constitution.
secrecy (noun) – confidentiality.
arbitrariness (noun) – the quality of being “determined by personal chance, whim (desire), or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle”.
cease (verb) – stop, halt, end, wind up, terminate.
Section (noun) – it refers to a distinct portion or provision of a legal code or set of laws, often establishing a particular legal requirement.
in a way (phrase) – somewhat, to a certain extent.
censorship (noun) – the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information, on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient.
antithesis (noun) – the direct opposite of something; antipode, contrary, opposite, reverse.
facilitator (noun) – a person/thing that encourages action and makes it easier.