YouTube channels a nuisance to society, regulate them: Madras high court

CHENNAI: Flagging unregulated YouTube channel activities, Madras high court has said it is high time for the state to regulate the channels, as they have become a nuisance to society.
Justice K Kumaresh Babu made the observations on Thursday while hearing an anticipatory bail application moved by YouTuber Felix Gerald, who has been booked for an interview wherein Savukku Shankar made sweeping derogatory statements against women police personnel.The judge also said the interviewer should have been made the first-accused, as he is the one who prompted Shankar to make the sweeping statements.
Days after RedPix YouTube channel telecast the interview, its promoter and interviewer Felix Gerald was also booked by Tamil Nadu police.
While Shankar has already been arrested in connection with the interview, Felix Gerald moved the court apprehending arrest.
Petitioner not honouring summons
When the plea came up for hearing, an additional public prosecutor submitted that by interviewing Shankar, the petitioner had facilitated him to make derogatory statements against women police personnel in Tamil Nadu. It has lowered the morale of the entire state police force, he said.
Though summons have been issued to the petitioner, so far he has not appeared before the investigating officer for inquiry, he added.
Recording the submissions, Justice K Kumaresh Babu observed that the petitioner must have been made the first-accused, as he was the one who prompted Shankar to make such derogatory statements.
"Is that even an interview?" the judge wondered. The court then directed the Coimbatore police to file their response in a week and adjourned the hearing.