The Data and Broadcasting Ministry is inspecting the present statutory provisions and the necessity for a brand new authorized framework to manage “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 stated 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 advised the Standing Committee on Communications and Data Know-how headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey that whereas sure provisions exist beneath the present legal guidelines, there’s a rising demand for a stricter and efficient authorized framework to manage such dangerous content material.
It stated, “This ministry has taken notice of those developments and is in strategy of inspecting present statutory provisions and wish for a brand new authorized framework.” The ministry stated 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.
Prison circumstances have been registered in opposition to him, and his apology has completed little to damp down the controversy. Whereas the Supreme Court docket granted him safety from arrest, it additionally made very essential observations at his feedback, deeming them vulgar and a product of “soiled thoughts” which has “shamed” the society.
The apex courtroom additionally flagged the “vacuum” in legislation relating to content material on platforms resembling YouTube and stated “all types of issues have been happening”.
The ministry advised the committee that it’s going to submit an in depth notice 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 get together strains have joined the outcry over Allahbadia’s feedback, prompting the committee to jot down to the federal government.
In contrast to the standard print and digital content material, that are lined beneath particular legal guidelines, new media companies powered by web resembling OTT platforms or YouTube haven’t any particular regulatory authorized framework, triggering calls for for amending the legal guidelines.
Whereas there’s a view in some quarters that authorities might 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 via 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 reduction following registration of FIRs in opposition to him, it noticed, “We wish to do one thing.
If the Authorities of India will willingly do it, we shall be very comfortable. In any other case, we aren’t going to go away 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 beneath 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.
