News Broadcasters Association opposes I&B ministry draft on monitoring websites

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA), which represents key news television channels in the country, has objected to draft rules framed by the information and croadcasting ministry for keeping a tab on websites.

The NBA said the "draconian" rules were against the freedom of speech and gave the government unbridled power to block the websites. It fears the I&B Ministry's move because almost all the TV channels maintain a website, where news stories carried on the channels are hosted.

The rules being framed calls for interception and monitoring of websites that may contain information detrimental to national security or promote disharmony. The rules authorise designated officers to block a website, without even giving the affected party any chance to contest the claims.

As the rules have been kept vague, it could mean that government can block or gag material on blogs and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

In a letter written to the I&B ministry and the communications and information technology ministry recently, the NBA said "the rules described as Interception, Monitoring and Decryption were in essence and substance "eavesdropping" on conversation and exchange of information between one or more parties,.

NBA says the move is a breach of the right to freedom of speech and expression and of the right to privacy. Pointing out discrepancies in the draft rules could be misused, the association said Rule 3 gives "unbridled" discretionary powers in "unavoidable circumstances" even to lower ranking officers.