Uttar Pradesh introduces Digital Media Policy, ‘anti-national’ content may lead to life imprisonment
The state’s BJP government also proposed financial incentives up to Rs 8 lakh per month for influencers who promote its schemes and programs.
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The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the state’s Digital Media Policy 2024, which prescribes severe punishments, including life imprisonment, for those who post “anti-national content” online, reported India Today.
The state is governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
According to a press note signed by Principal Secretary Sanjay Prasad, the policy aims to “disseminate information about various developmental, public welfare/beneficial schemes/achievements of the state and its benefits to the people of the state through digital media platforms”.
While the press note does not mention punishments for posting “anti-national” content, India Today reported that the offence could be penalised with a minimum jail term of three years, going up to life.
In Uttar Pradesh, the punishment for posting allegedly objectionable content was earlier prescribed by Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, which deals with privacy violations and cyberterrorism. Under this, offences could be punished with up to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
The state’s new Digital Media Policy 2024 also proposes financial incentives for influencers willing to promote the state government’s programs and schemes on X, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
“Residents of the state who are living in different parts of the country and abroad will be assured of getting employment in large numbers [because of the policy],” read the...
