- Make no mistake, the digital revolution witnessed around the world is not only indescribable but also defies imagination simply because of the reach of the medium. The ubiquitous digital footprints have penetrated hitherto unthinkable areas and simply continue to grow much to the delight of the government’s concerned. Of course, the power of the digital medium was fully explored and put to good use during the pandemic-induced breakdown which otherwise would have ensured extreme challenges to the administration on several fronts. No wonder, the internet has become indispensable what with the affordability of smartphones being preferred by every citizen across the world to access and experience the medium in all its entirety.
PC: Editorial
- Now, every country’s administration must be geared up to face challenges of a different nature when a peaceful existence gets disturbed by unforeseen happenstances. The world cannot be always ideal, you see as human fragilities are bound to emerge now and then to pose challenges to peaceful existence. Needless to mention, the administration is expected to be prepared and address any disturbances well within the purview of the law of the land. Disturbances perpetrated by anti-social elements must be tackled efficiently and professionally without imperiling the lives and properties of citizens. There are standard operating procedures to handle disturbances. One of the measures is to temporarily shut down the internet.
- Yes, the digital medium can carry information in real-time and any fake dissemination could lead to a law-and-order situation further exacerbating the situation. Understandably, law enforcement agencies do clamp down on the internet to keep the rumor-mongering at bay and allow normalcy to return sooner rather than later. However, suspending the internet indefinitely is simply not on and is counterproductive as well. Look at Manipur. Internet services were finally restored in Manipur on September 23, almost five months since its shutdown after violence erupted on May 4. While restrictions had been partially lifted since July 25 on broadband services, mobile internet – which is a civilian lifeline – was restored after 143 days. Not a day soon, one must mention.
PC: unwomenasiapacific
- CM Biren Singh announced at a press conference that displayed a recognition of the restoration’s significance. All such bans have a crippling effect on economic activity and cause public severe hardship, especially students and WFH professionals – many, even from parts of Manipur that were unaffected, were forced to move to neighbouring states. Mind you, internet shutdowns in the name of law and order are a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Manipur’s ban for instance stopped not only fake news from spreading but also real news and videos of the extent of hostilities in relatively interior areas. As such, it makes sense for the government authorities to rethink the internet shutdown move going forward.
