Nicts, Individual Privacy, and Media Accountability

Abstract

The ongoing information and communication technology revolutions have substantially empowered people by making them information rich. The enormous volume of information- the main driver of the global information economy today- is at the disposal of anybody having the means and the willingness to acquire. Conversely, the technologies of new media have emerged as ubiquitous tools of privacy violation. The new media revolutions have facilitated information sharing even if it ends up in intrusion in the privacy of citizens. Despite wider recognition of the menace, we do not have credible deterrent mechanism and legal or constitutional remedy against it. The personalized nature of technologies makes safeguards difficult as they are judged against fundamental rights of citizens. The media claim immunity against privacy actions citing public interest in its reporting. The government, on the other hand argues action against privacy in national interest, especially in controlling economic crime, terrorist activities, and corruption. But, often cases of privacy violations are found to be beyond the fringe of public or national interest. The media cannot rightfully use its protective umbrella of constitutional and legal freedom to justify its invasions in individual privacy if such acts are driven by considerations other then national interest. It must honour the safeguards to individual privacy while performing its sacred duty, failing which external checks may be inevitable even if it is not to the media’s liking.