Lok Sabha Question No. 373 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Transition from Traditional Media to Digital Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Janardan Mishra, Shri Alok Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *373

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

TRANSITION FROM TRADITIONAL MEDIA TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS

*373. SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;

- (a)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  support  media houses in transitioning from traditional media to digital platform;
- (b)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  AI (Artificial Intelligence) governance and accountability in India;
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  ensuring  that  AI-based recommendation  algorithms  do  not  prioritize  sensational  news  over credible journalism; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to prevent spread of fake news and make media houses and online media accountable for spreading of fake news?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d):- A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *373 FOR ANSWER ON 26.03.2025

(a):  India  has  a  robust  and  diverse    media  consisting  of  about  1,45,000 printed publication, more  than  900  private satellite  TV  channels  and numerous  publishers on digital media including OTT platforms,  e-replica of news  papers,  digital  newspapers,  news  websites  and    news  channels  on social media platforms etc. These media entities are adapting to the evolving technological  development  which  is  reflected  in  the  increasing  media presence  on  digital  platforms.  As  per  industry  estimates,  the  media  and entertainment (M&E) sector has grown over 8% in 2023. 70% of this growth has  stemmed  from  new  media,  which  now  constitutes  38%  of  the  sector. Government takes policy initiatives from time to time to create an enabling environment for growth of the sector.

(b)  &  (c):  On  the  issue  of  AI  governance  and  accountability,  the Ministry of Electronics and Information  Technology  (MeiTY)  has informed that the Government is committed to ensure accountability, safety,  and  fairness  while  upholding  human  rights  and  privacy.  This strategy includes robust regulatory frameworks, transparent AI governance, and independent oversight mechanisms to prevent bias, discrimination, and misuse. Further, the Government has approved an IndiaAI Mission as a comprehensive programme for leveraging transformative technologies to foster inclusion, innovation and adoption for social impact as well as to make India a global leader in the AI space and ensure responsible and transformational use of Al for all. The 'Safe and Trusted AI' pillar under the Mission emphasizes the need  for  responsible  AI  development,  deployment  and  adoption  and enables  implementation  of  'Responsible  AI  Projects'    which  include development  of  indigenous  tools  and  frameworks,  self  assessment checklists for innovators and other guidelines and governance frameworks.

(d): The Government takes all possible actions to control the spread of fake  and  misleading  information  which  has  potential  to  adversely affect the society at large. In this regard, the Government has various statutory and institutional mechanisms in place to address fake news on various media platforms. For  Print  Media,  the  newspapers  have  to  adhere  to  'Norms  of Journalistic Conduct' brought out by the Press Council of India (PCI) which, inter alia, restrains publication of fake/ defamatory/ misleading news. The content on private satellite TV channels is required to adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation)  Act,  1995,  which,  inter  alia,  provides  that  no  content which  contains  anything  obscene,  defamatory,  deliberate,  false  and suggestive innuendos and half-truths is broadcast on private satellite TV channels. For the content of publishers and news and current affairs on digital media, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021(IT Rules, 2021) provides for a Code of Ethics for such publishers and a three tier grievance redressal mechanism. A  Fact  Check  Unit  (FCU)  has  been  set  up  under  Press  Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in November, 2019 to check fake news relating  to  the  Central  Government.  After  verifying the authenticity of news  from  authorised  sources  in Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, FCU posts correct information on its social media platforms.

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