The new digital media rules introduced by the Narendra Modi-Government has claimed its first ‘victim’.
Manipur news portal The Frontier Manipur was served legal notice by the police in the State.
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However, the notice was later withdrawn by the Manipur Police following widespread outrage.
A legal notice to Khanasi Neinasi, a weekly show of The Frontier Manipur, an online news portal based in Imphal.
Khanasi Neinasi is a weekly show hosted by associate editor of The Frontier Manipur – Kishorechandra Wangkhemcha.
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“In the evening another notice was served saying that the earlier order stood withdrawn. The fresh order was signed by the Imphal West district magistrate,” Paojel Chaoba, executive editor said.
In its earlier order, the Manipur Government had directed The Frontier Manipur to furnish relevant documents to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code), Rules, 2021 “failing which steps as deemed fit shall be initiated without further notice”.
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The new rules have come under criticism from digital media publishers as they give unprecedented powers to the executive to regulate content on digital news media platforms on vague grounds.
This can now be done without giving the publisher a hearing, unlike regulations for print and electronic media houses.
The Frontier Manipur has been extensively reporting on Manipur’s drug menace, a sensitive public issue in the state.
It has been critical of the recent acquittal of an alleged jailed drug lord said to be close to the chief minister.