'YouTubers-influencers need monitoring', said BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Jyoti Malhotra case:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Praveen Khandelwal: Amid rising nationwide outrage against Pakistan and its allies Turkey and Azerbaijan, the things that are coming to light in the Jyoti Malhotra espionage case are raising many questions. Reacting to this, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Praveen Khandelwal has said that the misuse of digital platforms by some YouTubers and social media influencers has reached a very dangerous level.

He says that the platforms which were meant for creativity and public communication are now often becoming tools for propaganda, misinformation, targeted harassment and imposing political agendas and all this is happening in the name of freedom of expression. Praveen Khandelwal

raised questions on influencers
Referring to some recent incidents after this case, he said that this is not the first case. In recent years, many controversies related to digital creators have come to the fore which have given rise to national debate and legal intervention. He mentioned the arrest of Elvish Yadav in the 'Sanp Ka Jahar Party' case. He also mentioned the questions on business ethics in the Sandeep Maheshwari vs Vivek Bindra dispute, promotion of toxic online environment in the CarryMinati vs TikTok episode, Gaurav Taneja (Flying Beast) creating public crisis by stopping the train.

Khandelwal raised the question, is this freedom of expression, or freedom of exploitation? Or a bigger danger - is it the freedom to play with the security of the nation, as seen in the Jyoti Malhotra case?

Demand for regulatory framework
He said that given the current situation, it is now the need of the hour to create a clear and binding regulatory framework for digital content creators and influencers. This framework should include the following provisions, which include, • Mandatory disclosure of brand promotion, paid content and political connections, Grievance redressal system in cases of false information or harassment, Accountability of the platform, which should take action on repeated violation of rules. Clear ban on anti-national, defamatory or anti-social activities.
Khandelwal said that content creators who have established influence through crores of followers will have to behave with moral and legal responsibility.

Khandelwal said, freedom does not mean the right to say anything, but the responsibility to speak the truth, maintain dignity and protect national interest. According to him, no person or platform can be above the law and decorum, especially when it comes to national security and social harmony.