Lok Sabha Question No. 1455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Regulation of Content on Digital Media Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1455

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## REGULATION OF CONTENT ON DIGITAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

1455. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

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

- (a) the steps being taken to regulate content on digital media platforms while ensuring freedom of expression;
- (b)  the  measures  implemented  to  curb  fake  news,  misinformation  and  hate speech on these platforms;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  accessibility  of inappropriate or underage content on digital platforms and its impact on the mental health and behavior of youth;
- (d) if so, the details of any guidelines, safeguards or penalties being planned to address such content effectively; and
- (e) the initiatives being undertaken to promote and support indigenous content creators and platforms to enhance local cultural representation in the digital space?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND MINISTER OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW): (a) to (e):- The Government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) on 25th February, 2021 under Information Technology Act, 2000. Part-III of these Rules provide for Code of Ethics for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).  The  Code  of  Ethics  for  digital  news  publishers  requires  such publishers  to  adhere  to  the  'Norms  of  Journalistic  Conduct'  of  the  Press Council of  India,  The  Programme Code under the Cable Television (Network Regulation  Act,  1995).  Similarly,  Code  of  Ethics  for  OTT  platforms  requires them not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law for the time being in force and  to undertake  age  based  classification of content  into 5 categories, based on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules. The  Code  also  provides  that  the  OTT  Platform  will  put  in  place  adequate safeguard for restricting age inappropriate content for children. resource to not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit,

So far as the content  on  intermediary platforms  like YouTube, Facebook, etc. is concerned, Part-II of IT Rules, 2021  cast obligation on such platforms to make reasonable efforts by itself  and   to cause the user of their  computer etc. knowingly and intentionally any information which is obscene, pornographic, paedophilic, invasive of another's privacy, including  bodily privacy, insulting or  harassing  on  the  basis  of  gender,  racially  or  ethnically  objectionable,  or that is harmful to child and any information which is patently false and untrue, and is written and published in any form with the intent to mislead or harass a person,  entity  or  agency  for  financial  gain  or  to  cause  any  injury  to  any person.

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