The Data and Broadcasting Ministry is analyzing the present statutory provisions and the necessity for a brand new authorized framework to control “dangerous” content material on digital platforms, indicating the federal government’s transfer to sharpen its vigil over them following the outcry over Ranveer Allahbadia’s crass feedback on a YouTube programme.
In its reply to a parliamentary panel’s communication over the difficulty, the ministry mentioned there’s a rising concern within the society that the constitutional proper of “freedom of expression is being misused to showcase obscene and violent content material on digital platforms”.
It instructed the Standing Committee on Communications and Data Know-how headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey that whereas sure provisions exist underneath the present legal guidelines, there’s a rising demand for a stricter and efficient authorized framework to control such dangerous content material.
It mentioned, “This ministry has taken observe of those developments and is in means of analyzing present statutory provisions and want for a brand new authorized framework.” The ministry mentioned that many excessive courts and the Supreme Court docket, MPs and statutory our bodies just like the Nationwide Fee of Ladies have spoken on the difficulty, which has made headlines after the tasteless feedback of social media influencer Allahbadia drew huge condemnation.
Legal instances have been registered towards him, and his apology has accomplished little to damp down the controversy. Whereas the Supreme Court docket granted him safety from arrest, it additionally made very vital observations at his feedback, deeming them vulgar and a product of “soiled thoughts” which has “shamed” the society.
The apex court docket additionally flagged the “vacuum” in legislation on the subject of content material on platforms resembling YouTube and mentioned “all types of issues have been occurring”.
The ministry instructed the committee that it’s going to submit an in depth observe after due deliberations.
The committee had requested the ministry on February 13 concerning the amendments wanted within the current legal guidelines to clamp down on controversial content material within the wake of the emergence of recent expertise and media platforms.
Members throughout the occasion strains have joined the outcry over Allahbadia’s feedback, prompting the committee to jot down to the federal government.
Not like the traditional print and digital content material, that are coated underneath particular legal guidelines, new media providers powered by web resembling OTT platforms or YouTube don’t have any particular regulatory authorized framework, triggering calls for for amending the legal guidelines.
Whereas there’s a view in some quarters that authorities could use new provisions to censor content material for extraneous causes, frequent outrage triggered by episodes just like the one involving Allahbadia have given rise to the demand for strengthening the authorized framework by amendments within the current legal guidelines or by enacting new ones.
With the Supreme Court docket additionally stepping in, the federal government has taken up the difficulty.
Whereas listening to podcaster Allahbadia’s plea for aid following registration of FIRs towards him, it noticed, “We wish to do one thing.Â
If the Authorities of India will willingly do it, we will likely be very blissful. In any other case, we aren’t going to depart this vacuum.” The ministry additionally issued an advisory to over-the-top (OTT) platforms and self-regulatory our bodies, asking them to strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics prescribed underneath the IT Guidelines-2021 whereas publishing content material.
It additionally requested the self-regulatory our bodies of OTT platforms to take applicable proactive motion in case of violation of the Code of Ethics by the platforms.
