Internet giants meet Sibal, object to censorship

CNN-IBN | 15-Dec 13:56 PM

New Delhi: Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal met officials of Internet giants like Google and Facebook in Delhi on Thursday to formulate content guidelines for social networking sites. Minister of State for Communication and IT Sachin Pilot as well as Department of Telecom Secretary K Chandrashekhar were also present at the meeting.

The private players have objected to the government's censorship of web content. They have suggested that instead of government censorship, there should be an independent committee comprising of private players who can take a call on whether content is offensive and harmful to national interest or not.

"The meeting was to discuss how through social media the government can be empowered. Social media platforms are a huge space. It will help the government to be empowered through citizens," Sibal said.

Sibal's comment on screening content had sparked outrage across the online community. The government is asking leading Internet companies such as Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and Facebook to screen alleged derogatory, defamatory and inflammatory content about religious figures and Indian leaders.

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