3 Things Online takedown orders, the National Herald case, and a Jamia professor’s suspension
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Dec 25, 2025 Sohini Ghosh, a journalist at The Indian Express covering digital policy, discusses the Sayog portal that streamlines online content takedowns, raising concerns over freedom of speech. Meanwhile, Apurva Vishwanath, national legal editor, analyzes the legal intricacies of the National Herald case, focusing on a recent court ruling that has complicated the ED's prosecution against the Gandhi family. The conversation also explores the controversial suspension of a Jamia professor over an exam question, igniting a debate on academic freedom.
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Sayog Centralizes Rapid Takedowns
- The Sayog portal lets police and agencies request rapid takedowns from integrated platforms, often without immediate judicial oversight.
- Sohini Ghosh warns this cuts out intermediary judgment and centralizes removal power with the state.
Public Order Used As Broad Basis
- Most takedown notices cited vague threats to public order rather than clearly identifiable crimes.
- Sohini Ghosh notes this vagueness allows broad use of takedown powers against diverse content.
Notices Often Target Opposition Posts
- Many flagged posts targeted opposition party accounts, revealing asymmetric enforcement.
- Sohini Ghosh points out platforms were asked to remove more content from opposition handles than others.