In this project I have dealt with freedom of speech in the era of social media.

Freedom of speech is an integral feature of democratic government

because of its instrumental value in facilitating values and enhancing representative democracy.
By protecting and preserving free speech and expression the modern-day citizens have been
able to participate in government by supporting, opposing, appraising or criticizing political
programs and policies and by making informed decisions during elections.

There are both positive and negative aspects of free speech and expression in relation to both
speaker and listener. The central aspect of freedom of speech is to provide the citizen’s the right
to participate and guaranteeing of the right to freedom of speech through the Constitution has
been done to ensures that the citizen are able to assist in the operation and development of
institutional arrangements which serves the common good. The constitutional guarantee of
freedom of speech also enables all members of the community to fulfill their common interest
with reasonable harmony and co-operation. The negative aspect of the principle of freedom of
speech is that through the limitation imposed
on it a person may be deprived of someone of the information necessary to judge governmental
activity if it falls in the protection of the integrity and safety of the nation. The Indian Constitution by
virtue of Article 19 (1) clause (a) freedoms of ‘speech and expression”. The Indian press/media plays
a dual role in the Indian Society i.e. it acts as a medium of
expression as well as also a business entity therefore enjoying the right under Art. 19(1)(g) which
also brings it under the ambit of the restrictions mentioned under Art. 19 clause (6) of the
Constitution. Under the civil or common law wrongs the form of post-publication restraints may be
in the form
of injunctions; or ban on circulation or distribution or telecast or release of the objectionable
matters. One of the landmark case related to fr is Romesh thappAR VS UOI.

AS THERE IS ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY Social media became an integral part of

people’s life. Social media is one of the most popular means of computer
mediated communication and it plays a crucial role in the decision making
process of people with regard to an issue. Although there is no particular legislation which covers
the leverage of opinion and expression or violation on social media but there are certain provisions
in cyber law which can be addressed in case of any violation or misuse of social media SUCH AS
Information Technology Act – 2000. The maximum cases in India are brought under S. 66 A of the
Information & Technology Act, 2006, which punishes persons for sending offensive messages

through social media. Shreya Singhal v Union of India EXPLAIN

The existing cyber laws of India are neither appropriate or adequate in curbing the issues. An
alternative for Section 66A of IT Act is the need of the hour. There are many practical
difficulties in framing social media regulations in a vast and diverse country like India.