'Don't Lecture India': Ravi Shankar Prasad

Don't lecture India on freedom of speech and democracy, said IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to social media firms.

Transcript

00:00India does not need lecture on freedom and freedom of speech and democracy from profit-making company.

00:07It's staying in America. Criticize the Prime Minister, criticize me, ask tough questions.

00:12But why will you not obey Indian laws?

01:00India does not need lecture on freedom and freedom of speech and democracy from profit-making company.

01:28It's staying in America. When India's company go to do business in America, do they follow American laws or not?

01:36You earn good money, no problem. Earn tons of money, no problem. India is a big digital market, no problem.

01:41Criticize the Prime Minister, criticize me, ask tough questions. But why will you not obey Indian laws?

01:48If you do business in India, you have to follow India's constitution and India's laws.

01:54Be very clear about it. What is democracy? We have free and fair election.

01:59Recently we won Assam, we lost Bengal, but we got some election.

02:05An independent judiciary. In COVID you may have seen judiciary ask very tough questions at time more than what is required.

02:13That's what democracy is about. Therefore, these profit companies should not lecture on democracy.

02:19You are a platform, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, but you are a commercial entity.

02:24The social cause is by the users. This has to be understood.

02:30Therefore, these are the general issues. Appreciate social media that empower ordinary Indians.

02:38Appreciate their asking questions. But as I said earlier, let me give it in conclusion.

02:44These guidelines don't deal with the abuse of social media. They deal with the abuse and misuse of social media.

02:53And give the users of social media a forum for redressal of their grievances.