Regulating Digital Content: A Legal Dilemma

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is considering the need for new regulations to manage harmful content on digital platforms. Amid societal concerns involving freedom of expression, obscenity, and violence, the ministry highlights existing demands for stronger legal frameworks to govern emerging media and technologies.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is scrutinizing current legal standards and weighing the necessity for a new legal framework to govern 'harmful' content following concerns over 'obscenity and violence' on digital platforms.

In a response to a parliamentary panel, the ministry commented on the societal worry that the 'freedom of expression' is being exploited to display obscene and violent material online.

Reportedly, the ministry is in talks with the Communications and Information Technology Standing Committee to evaluate existing laws and consider amendments, driven by the growing call for stricter legal controls around new media services like OTT platforms.