Manipur's Cycle of Censorship : The Law, Policy and Practice of Internet Shutdowns
Channel: 1984 by Apar Gupta
Date: 06/10/2023

In "Manipur's Cycle of Censorship," we delve deep into the complex issue of internet shutdowns in Manipur, the second longest in India now stretching into more than 135 days. It is based on op-eds authored by me first in The Hindu and then the Indian Express. 

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00:00 - India leads in Internet Shutdown
01:30 - How do people access the Internet
02:20 - Internet Shutdown in Manipur through repetitive, vague orders
04:52 - Petitions in the High Court of Manipur
07:15 - A “limited internet shutdown” permitted by High Court Orders
09:00 - Judicial avoidance by the Supreme Court
09:55 - Misinformation and Internet Shutdowns
11:54 - The dangerous consensus on, “limited internet shutdowns”
13:32 - Four types of “limited internet shutdowns”
16:35 - Selectively banning or whitelisting websites
18:40 - Government refuses to study effectiveness of Internet Shutdowns
19:50 - Evidence of harm by Internet Shutdowns
21:15 - TRAI OTT Consultation
22:00 - Institutional agreement for “limited internet shutdowns”
23:17 - Internet ban removed and then reimposed in Manipur
24:40 - Why the State Government resorts to Internet Shutdowns
26:14 - No check or balance 
28:52 - An abuse relationship with the state
30:30 - A prayer for Manipur

** Text version **

1. The Hindu : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-internet-ban-will-not-restore-peace-in-manipur/article67106942.ece 
2. Indian Express : https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/apar-gupta-writes-on-manipur-internet-shutdown-is-no-cure-8873758/ 
3. Indian Express : https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/apar-gupta-writes-in-manipur-another-internet-shutdown-a-conflict-intensified-8970390/

**  Basic reading and resources ** 

 * TRAI Data on connectivity patterns in Manipur : https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_31052023_0.pdf 
* EastMojo reports from Manipur : https://www.eastmojo.com/manipur/
* Study titled, “Of Sieges and Shutdowns” by Rohini Lakshane and Chinmayi SK : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341932109_Of_Sieges_and_Shutdowns_How_unreliable_mobile_networks_and_intentional_Internet_shutdowns_affect_the_lives_of_women_in_Manipur
* Study titled, “Of Blackouts and Bandhs” by Jan Rydzak : https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3330413
* HRW and IFF Report on Internet Shutdowns : https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/06/14/no-internet-means-no-work-no-pay-no-food/internet-shutdowns-deny-access-basic
* Anuradha Bhasin Judgement : https://indiankanoon.org/doc/82461587/ 
* IFF’s Analysis on Standing Committee Report on Internet Shutdowns: https://internetfreedom.in/standing-committee-action-taken-report/

You can find me online at some other places as well : https://linktr.ee/apar1984