Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, expressed concerns about the distortion of truth and the overwhelming barrage of speech on social media platforms due to troll armies and organized disinformation campaigns. Speaking at the 14th Justice VM Tarkunde memorial lecture, Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the need for new theoretical frameworks to address free speech on the internet.
In his speech, Chief Justice Chandrachud mentioned an article from the New York Times in 2020 that described the goal of spreading falsehoods as preventing the actual battle of ideas. He emphasized that traditional notions of free speech cannot be relied upon in the face of such challenges.
The Chief Justice also discussed the intricate relationship between state surveillance and an individual’s right to privacy, which has been a topic of intense debate in Indian jurisprudence. He referred to the case of R Rajagopal vs State of Tamil Nadu, where the court upheld the right of a magazine to publish an autobiography written by a prisoner, even without the prisoner’s consent or authorization. This case emphasized the delicate balance between press freedom and the right to privacy.
Chief Justice Chandrachud paid tribute to Justice Tarkunde, stating that the core principles of the civil liberties movement championed by Justice Tarkunde are reflected in digital rights activism today. He described Justice Tarkunde as the “Father of the Civil Rights Movement” and praised his unwavering commitment to democracy, radical humanism, and civil liberty.
The Chief Justice concluded his speech by highlighting Justice Tarkunde’s defense of personal liberty and democracy during the internal emergency imposed in the 1970s. He emphasized that Justice Tarkunde’s contributions are essential to any discussion or analysis of that period.
Overall, Chief Justice Chandrachud’s speech shed light on the challenges posed by troll armies and disinformation campaigns, and the need to redefine the concept of free speech in the digital age. He also paid tribute to Justice Tarkunde’s significant contributions to civil rights and personal liberty.
