Govt to hold first ever press conference on Twitter

After cracking down on internet freedom, government wants to interact with netizens on ‘democratisation of internet’

GN Bureau | September 25, 2012



Amidst criticism of it policies on internet and censorship, the Indian government may have come of age in digital era. It will host the first ever press conference on Twitter  on ‘democratization of information’ on September 24, between 3.30 and 4.15 pm. Knowledge commission chairperson and telecom guru Sam Pitroda is going to take questions from the people on the topic on his twitter handle @pitrodasam followed by #DOI.

No information about the method to be adopted during the press meet has been provided by the organisers. The twitteratis are skeptical about the participation part too whether the conference is open to everyone on twitter or only journalists will be able to ask the questions. Also, it is not clear how the organisers are going to handle the traffic and the large amount of questions that will come their way as the topic is current and relevant to internet users across India; as a tweet says, “Information on how to take part in the conference itself not clear. Shd've organized better.”

Many suggestions and questions have already come up till now for Pitroda to answer when he comes online at 3:30. As a tweet says, “let PMO put all documents on net if not classified & exempted. Oath of secrecy should b changed to oath of transparency.” This is followed by other questions related to democratisation of information and its marriage with national security, which has been a troubled one of sorts. It should be noted that most censors on the internet in recent times have been explained on the basis of national and internal security; as one tweet says, “Where will democratisation of information meet the 'national security' (where it will end)?”

To be a part of the interaction, log on to twitter and address your questions/comments to @pitrodasam.

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