New Delhi: In a move reflecting growing concerns over the inappropriate use of social media, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need for a “societal consensus” alongside stricter legal frameworks to combat the prevalence of vulgar content online. His remarks were made in response to a query from Meerut MP Arun Govil during a Lok Sabha session, focusing on the challenges posed by unregulated expression on digital platforms.
Vaishnaw highlighted the significant transformation brought about by social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, which have diminished the editorial checks that traditional media once provided to ensure accountability and content integrity. “While these platforms offer a newfound freedom of expression, they often give rise to uncontrolled content, including vulgar material,” he stated, underscoring the dual nature of social media as both a vehicle for press freedom and a breeding ground for inappropriate content.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these issues and noted that stringent regulations must be established to protect users, particularly children, from harmful content. The Minister referred to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, enacted on February 25, 2021, which implemented a Code of Ethics for publishers of online content. This code mandates age-based classification of content into five categories and prohibits the transmission of material that violates legal standards.
In a bid to enforce these regulations, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently took action against 18 OTT platforms that disseminated obscene content, employing provisions from Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000. Vaishnaw emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with the IT Rules, which require intermediary platforms such as YouTube and Facebook to prevent users from posting inappropriate content, including anything deemed obscene, pornographic, or harmful to underage individuals.
As the conversation around online content regulation intensifies, the government is poised to reevaluate and strengthen its approach to digital media oversight, aiming to balance the freedom of expression with the imperative to protect societal standards and public decency.
