Parliamentary proceedings | I&B Minister Vaishnaw calls for tougher censorship on OTT, social media

Mr. Vaishnaw was responding to a query by a newly elected MP from Meerut Arun Govil

Minister for Electronics, Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday (November 27, 2024) that he supported bringing in tougher laws to deal with “obscene” content on OTT streaming platforms as well as social media. Mr. Vaishnaw made these remarks against the backdrop of a loud protest by the Opposition, and the Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly thereafter. He was responding to the newly sworn-in MP from Meerut, Arun Govil. 

“Content on social media has caused deep hurt to our social values and our culture,” Mr. Govil said during question hour to the Minister. “Content on OTT streaming platforms is very obscene, and we cannot watch it with our family.” Mr. Govil asked what steps were being taken to curb such content. This is the government’s first such set of remarks calling for greater online censorshio since the withdrawal of the draft Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, 2023. 

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”The Member’s question is on a very important issue,” Mr. Vaishnaw said. “Social media and OTT platforms have none of the democratic institutions doing editorial checks on their content as they used to in the past. There is no regard to whether something posted online is correct or wrong, and while social media is an important medium for press freedom, there is also all sorts of uncontrolled expression, including vulgar content, etc.” 

“The existing law needs to be made stricter and I call for consensus on this issue.” 

Foreign sensibility

“Will the Minister ensure that foreign platforms, who have a role in the dissemination of such objectionable content, are answerable to Indian law,” Mr. Govil asked. Mr. Vaishnaw replied, “There is a big difference between Indian sensitivities and the sensitivities of the countries these social media platforms come from. I would like our Parliamentary Standing Committee to consider this matter, for there to be consensus in society on this matter, and strict laws be enacted in this regard.” 

Social media platforms and OTT services are governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which have placed special grievance redressal requirements for social media platforms in India. Following the notification of these Rules, OTT streaming firms have also wound down politically and religiously themed projects. However, pushback has continued, and the government proposed a Censor Board-like internal apparatus to be required within all streaming services under the draft Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was withdrawn earlier this year.

Published - November 27, 2024 12:37 pm IST