Page:Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India and Ors.pdf/34

 consequences. Because internet postings are not regulated sources of news, they can reflect any viewpoint, truthful or not. Thus, readers tend to consider internet items to be fact, and stories can go unchecked for some time. Furthermore, streaming video and pictures of frightening scenes can support and magnify these news stories. As a result, the internet is a powerful and effective tool for spreading propaganda."

37. Susan W. Brenner, NCR Distinguished Professor of Law and Technology, University of Dayton School of Law, also notes that the traditional approach has not worked satisfactorily on terrorism due to the proliferation of the internet. It is the contention of the respondents that the restriction on the freedom of speech was imposed due to the fact that there were national security issues over and above a law and order situation, wherein there were problems of infiltration and support from the other side of the border to instigate violence and terrorism. The learned Solicitor General pointed out that the 'war on terrorism' requires imposition of such restriction so as to nip the problem of terrorism in the bud. He submitted that in earlier times, sovereignty and integrity of a State was challenged only on occurrence of war. In some cases, there have been instances 34