Lok Sabha Question No. 1714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Directives to Social Media
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1714 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018)

## DIRECTIVES TO SOCIAL MEDIA

## 1714. SHRI A. P. JITHENDER REDDY:

## Will the MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued directives to social media platforms to  establish  mechanisms  to  remove  illegal  content,  failing  which  such media platforms shall be punished;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the number of warnings issued on private and public-owned satellite TV Channels  against lynching and mob  violence following Ministry's advisory, Channel-wise and Screen Time Allocation-wise and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for not issuing a directive instead of issuing an advisory;
- (d) the  details  of  the  investigation  carried  out  in  the  accident  in  Raigad district involving students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the actions taken thereto; and
- (e) the  details  of  action  taken  following  the  National  Commission  for Women  requesting the Ministry to direct print, publication and production houses to form an internal committee to probe complaints of sexual harassment at workplace?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

- (a) &  (b)    The  Ministry  of  Electronics  &  Information  Technology  has informed  that  the  Information  Technology  (IT)  Act,  2000  and  the  rules therein  namely  'The  Information  Technology  (Intermediaries  Guidelines) Rules 2011'  mandates intermediary platforms, including social media sites, to establish a mechanism to remove illegal contents failing which they may lose their immunity and become liable for punishment.

(c)  In  compliance  with  the  directions  of  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India judgement dated 17.07.2018 and 24.09.2018 in the WP(Civil) No.754 of 2016 in  Tehseen  S.  Poonawalla  vs.  Union  of  India  &  others  on  the  issues  of lynching and mob violence etc., the Ministry had issued an advisory dated 28.09.2018  to  TV  Channels  to  run,  as  scrolls,  following  two  messages  in public interest: 'Mob  violence  and  lynching  is  a  heinous  crime  and invites serious consequences under the law'. 'Mob violence and lynching is a serious criminal offence and invites stringent punishment under the law'. This Ministry has not issued warning to any private satellite TV channels on the issue of lynching and mob violence. (d)  The  Ministry  had  constituted  a  Committee  to  inquire  into  the  incident that  occurred  during  the  shoot  of  a  diploma  film  on  29.09.2018  at  Raigad Distt.,  Maharashtra.  The  Committee  has  given  its  report  recommending remedial measures for action by FTII.

(e)  The Ministry has requested (a) Press Council of India to issue necessary direction to all print media; and (b) all film production houses, to place an effective  mechanism  for  addressing  complaints  of  sexual  harassment  at workplace.

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