Congress MLA Pargat Singh Accuses AAP of Misusing Vidhan Sabha Content for Copyright Strikes
In a significant development, Congress MLA Pargat Singh has formally raised concerns with the Election Commission and the Punjab Assembly Speaker regarding the alleged misuse of official legislative content by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab. The issue centers on the use of photos and videos from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, as well as imagery related to the chief minister's official duties, to initiate copyright strikes against independent media platforms and journalists on social media.
Allegations of Illegal Copyright Strikes
Pargat Singh, in his letters, has accused the AAP of illegally issuing copyright strikes from its official social media pages. He claims this action has led to the suspension or deletion of accounts belonging to independent media outlets and journalists. According to Singh, this tactic targets those who raise legitimate questions about government policies or highlight potential misuse of government resources.
He described this approach as dictatorial and demanded an immediate investigation into what he termed a dictatorial decision by the state government. Singh has called for action against those found guilty of orchestrating these strikes, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic principles and freedom of the press.
Legal and Ethical Questions Raised
In his correspondence, Pargat Singh posed a critical question to the Election Commission: whether photos and videos from the Vidhan Sabha can be used by any political party to initiate copyright strikes. He argued that such content is not the private property of any political entity. Citing Section 17(D) of the Copyright Act, 1957, he pointed out that the government holds the first copyright ownership of any work created under its order, supervision, or expense.
Therefore, photos and videos captured inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha are considered government property, not assets that can be claimed by a political party. Singh asserted that any attempt by a political party to assert copyright over these government activities to suppress critics is not only illegal but also raises serious concerns about the impartiality of the Vidhan Sabha and the broader democratic system.
Impact on Independent Media
The alleged copyright strikes have reportedly resulted in the suspension or shutdown of social media accounts belonging to independent media platforms and journalists. Pargat Singh highlighted that these entities often play a crucial role in holding the government accountable by questioning policies and exposing potential resource misuse. He warned that such actions could stifle free speech and undermine transparency in governance.
This controversy underscores the tension between political power and media freedom in Punjab, with Singh urging swift intervention from electoral and legislative authorities to clarify the legal standing of Vidhan Sabha content and prevent its abuse for political gain.
