INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 18th OCT 2026.

Summary of Important News Items Editorials-495

INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 18th OCT 2026.

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1. Supreme Court Recognises Internet Access as a Fundamental Right

The Supreme Court, in an order dated October 15 and reported on October 18, stated that access to and use of the Internet is a fundamental right under Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a). Hearing a petition concerning online child sexual exploitation and abuse material, the Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran rejected blanket restrictions on children's Internet access as an appropriate solution. Logic: Children require digital access for education, communication, information and participation in contemporary society. Prohibiting their access may push them towards unregulated platforms and discourage reporting of abuse. Court's stand: Child protection and digital freedom are complementary objectives. The Court suggested parental guidance, child-specific accounts, privacy safeguards and stronger content moderation. It also referred to earlier judicial recognition of constitutionally protected online expression and digital access. Gist: The State should address harmful content and irresponsible intermediaries through proportionate safeguards rather than exclude children from digital spaces.

2. Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede — Crowd Management and Administrative Accountability