Maintaining the Government stand on Section 66, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said internet which has emerged as a powerful medium should be used for empowerment and not disruption. “This is the ultimate analysis, the medium is for empowerment, it is not for disruption. Any technology can be used in any way, like an atom can create electricity or have Hiroshima. It's the atom that provides the solution.
“The Internet is that kind of energy of millions of atoms. Those atoms should be used for the good of mankind,” he said on a Google event - Big Tent Activate Summit.
On his views on self-regulation, Sibal said it was difficult to govern anybody on the net and that the rules will have to be self-imposed. “Internet governance to me is an oxymoron. How can you govern anybody on the net, you cannot. The net must govern itself,” Sibal added.
When asked on his reference to self regulation, Sibal later told reporters on the sidelines “Anybody, it could be television people. Anybody, everybody who disseminates news.”
The summit is being held to discusses issues related to the Internet and its impact on economy, politics, culture and society in India.
Emphasising on the need for self-regulation on sharing information on the Internet, Sibal said that media needs to realise its role in sharing news, which should “empower” people and not cause “disruption”. “Tera to haq hai khabar chalana, kuch mere bhi haq hain mat bhool jana (your job is to run news, but do not forget about my rights),” he quipped.
Sibal said internet is perhaps the most powerful medium to bring equality. To empower people through the Internet, Sibal explained there are 3 most important steps - state policy, connectivity through networks and affordability in terms of access through devices--which will make this medium completely inclusive.