The danger of a digital censor board
1 month ago

The danger of a digital censor board

The Hindu  

There is a moral panic over a show called India’s Got Latent. Law on vulgarity Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s curt remark that Mr. Allahbadia has “a very dirty mind,” the law separates moral repugnancy from criminality. The second legal provision which has been invoked against India’s Got Latent is Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which provides the Indian government with the power to block access to a website, as revealed by Kanchan Gupta, a Senior Advisor, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Legality, however, has not stood in the way of the Union government’s expanding appetite for censorship, as seen in the surge of blocking orders, which has been aided by the Information Technology Rules, 2021. Hence, it should not come as a surprise if popular online creators, including those associated with India’s Got Latent, plead for clemency in the coming weeks by pleading for “regulation” on digital platforms such as YouTube.

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History of this topic

SC allows Ranveer Allahbadia to resume show, asks govt to curb ‘vulgar content’
2 weeks, 6 days ago

SC allows Ranveer Allahbadia to resume show, asks govt to curb ‘vulgar content’

Live Mint  

The Supreme Court has urged the union government to introduce limited regulations to curb vulgar content in online media while protecting the freedom of expression of content creators. Allahbadia, a popular YouTuber with more than 8 million subscribers, faced a backlash after his comments on comedian Samay Raina’s show ‘India's Got Latent’ led to police complaints and a nationwide debate …

Will govt use India's Got Latent row as pretext to tighten content control?
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Will govt use India's Got Latent row as pretext to tighten content control?

Live Mint  

The government's recent advisory to social media and streaming platforms to strictly monitor and remove all content deemed obscene or vulgar, following a massive outrage over distasteful jokes on YouTube show India’s Got Latent featuring podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia and comic Samay Raina, has sparked concerns about sweeping content regulations that could follow, potentially curbing freedom of expression. Some entertainment industry …

From Ranveer Allahbadia to regulation: Will your fave OTT shows face more policing?
3 weeks, 6 days ago

From Ranveer Allahbadia to regulation: Will your fave OTT shows face more policing?

India Today  

The controversy surrounding YouTuber and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on the show India’s Got Latent has reignited the debate on digital content regulation in India. In response to the public outrage and Supreme Court’s scrutiny, the Union government is now considering a comprehensive legal framework to regulate content on digital platforms, including over-the-top services. Among the key concerns was the …

Amid India’s Got Latent controversy, Centre urges social media, OTT platforms to follow IT Rules
1 month ago

Amid India’s Got Latent controversy, Centre urges social media, OTT platforms to follow IT Rules

Live Mint  

Amid Samay Raina-Ranveer Allahbadia's India's Got Latent controversy, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has urged social media channels and OTT platforms to follow the Code of Ethics prescribed under IT Rules, 2021, stressing the importance of self-regulation and access control for A-rated content to protect children from watching inappropriate content. Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy Highlights In a notification, the ministry …

Outrage over Indian YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia raises social media regulation concerns
1 month ago

Outrage over Indian YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia raises social media regulation concerns

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — A famous YouTuber in India is facing public outrage and a police investigation after he made an allegedly obscene remark on a YouTube show, raising questions about freedom of speech in a country where digital creators in the past have come under fire for their content. The controversy began last week when social media influencer and YouTuber …

Parl panel seeks I.T. ministry reply on how law tackles obscene content
1 month ago

Parl panel seeks I.T. ministry reply on how law tackles obscene content

Hindustan Times  

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey, who heads the parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology, on Wednesday sought a note from the ministry on the efficacy of existing laws to deal with obscene content, and the need to amend the existing IT Act, 2000. According to a senior functionary of the panel, it is set to recommend to …

Ranveer Allahbadia controversy puts ’profane & explicit’ content under fire — time for stricter online rules?
1 month, 1 week ago

Ranveer Allahbadia controversy puts ’profane & explicit’ content under fire — time for stricter online rules?

Live Mint  

Amid the recent Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, a recent survey found that a majority of people believe audio/video platforms in India are not adequately regulated by legislation. Meanwhile, 59 per cent of surveyed citizens say video and audio platforms do not segregate explicit content, making it accessible to minors, according to the survey by Local Circles. The survey asked respondents, “Do …

Govt blocks 18 OTT platforms for ‘obscene, vulgar, porn content’ says minister L Murugan
3 months ago

Govt blocks 18 OTT platforms for ‘obscene, vulgar, porn content’ says minister L Murugan

Live Mint  

The Indian government has banned 18 OTT services or platform this year, for publishing content that was obscene, vulgar and pornographic, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister L Murugan. Speaking during question hour in the Lak Sabha on December 18, Murugan told the House that the Information Technology Rules of 2021 “cast specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to make …

Parliamentary panel to review mechanism to curb fake news
4 months, 1 week ago

Parliamentary panel to review mechanism to curb fake news

The Hindu  

Two months after the Bombay High Court struck down a key provision of the amended Information Technology Rules, 2021, which empowered the government to identify “fake news” on social media platforms through its Fact Check Unit, the Parliamentary Panel on Communications and Information Technology, has called for a review of mechanism to curb fake news. The amendment to Rule 3 …

India revises Broadcasting Bill, online creators fear crackdown
7 months, 1 week ago

India revises Broadcasting Bill, online creators fear crackdown

The Hindu  

Digital rights activists and online content creators welcomed a decision by India's government to rewrite a contentious broadcast bill that they feared would have censored speech on the internet. “A later version of the bill casts the net wider to include all digital content creators — from social media accounts and online video producers to podcasters,” according to technology policy …

Media bodies voice concern over draft broadcasting services bill
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Media bodies voice concern over draft broadcasting services bill

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Media bodies on Thursday voiced concern on the provisions of the draft broadcasting services bill and contended that it sought to create a multi-layered legal system to regulate and censor content in the digital space. "The Broadcasting Services Bill is one more step in creating a multi-layered legal system to regulate, control, monitor and censor content in the …

Secret changes have been made to draft Broadcasting Bill: Internet Freedom Foundation
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Secret changes have been made to draft Broadcasting Bill: Internet Freedom Foundation

The Hindu  

The Internet Freedom Foundation on Saturday decried “secret” changes to the draft Broadcasting Services Bill, which expands regulatory requirements on online news and entertainment media. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has met “selective industry representatives, without representation from civil society, journalists, or other key stakeholders,” the IFF said in a statement, repeating concerns from civil society that the Bill …

India’s Government Wants Total Control of the Internet
2 years, 1 month ago

India’s Government Wants Total Control of the Internet

Wired  

Akash Banerjee isn’t sure whether he’s allowed to talk about the BBC documentary India: The Modi Question on his YouTube channel. The documentary examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in deadly riots in the West Indian state of Gujarat in 2002, and the government has worked hard to keep Indians from watching it. Screenings at universities have been banned; …

GUEST COLUMN: MEDIA | A new phase of censorship creep in India
2 years, 1 month ago

GUEST COLUMN: MEDIA | A new phase of censorship creep in India

The Hindu  

Published : Feb 03, 2023 15:34 IST The Information Technology Rules, 2021, are back in active play, causing deep concern among those who value free speech and media freedom in India. The proposal has been sharply criticised by organisations like the Internet Freedom Foundation, which believes that “this will heavily impact the freedom of speech, expression and information online, and …

A Review On IT Rules 2021: A Positive Or A Negative Restriction On Digital Media And OTT Platforms?
3 years, 4 months ago

A Review On IT Rules 2021: A Positive Or A Negative Restriction On Digital Media And OTT Platforms?

Live Law  

The Information technology Rules, 2021 was released by the Indian Government to regulate the social media platforms, digital media platforms and the OTT platforms. government through a press release had expressed its view that that because of the widespread concern with respect to the issues relating to the digital contents both on digital media and the OTT Platforms various PIL …

India’s new IT rules 2021 challenged in courts as critics fear digital ‘authoritarianism’
3 years, 4 months ago

India’s new IT rules 2021 challenged in courts as critics fear digital ‘authoritarianism’

The Independent  

Six years ago, when India’s prime minister Narendra Modi presented his dream of a “digital India” to the country, less than 20 per cent of the nation had internet access and its billion-plus population was seen as offering huge but almost entirely untapped potential to the world’s media giants. Critics say the Indian government’s response has been a lean towards …

New IT Rules: SC gives petitioner a week’s time to study it
3 years, 8 months ago

New IT Rules: SC gives petitioner a week’s time to study it

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Monday gave a week’s time for a petitioner to study the Information Technology Rules of 2021 to verify whether it addresses the issue of communally sensitive content posted on social media platforms. ‘Frame specific guidelines’ The petition, filed in May, asked the court to direct the government to frame specific guidelines under the Information Technology Act …

IT Rules: Delhi HC Refuses to Grant Interim Protection from Coercive Action to Digital Media Portals
3 years, 8 months ago

IT Rules: Delhi HC Refuses to Grant Interim Protection from Coercive Action to Digital Media Portals

News 18  

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant protection from coercive action to digital media portals as it adjourned their challenge to the new IT Rules after being informed that a plea has been moved by the Centre to transfer them to the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, appearing for the portals, urged the court to pass an …

Parliamentary panel summons Google, Facebook on June 29 amid row over new IT rules
3 years, 8 months ago

Parliamentary panel summons Google, Facebook on June 29 amid row over new IT rules

India TV News  

Parliamentary panel summons Google, Facebook on June 29 amid row over new IT rules Parliament Standing Committee on Information and Technology has summoned the representatives of Facebook India and Google India on June 29 to hear their views on safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social online news media platforms. Amid tussle with micro-blogging platform Twitter over the …

Editors Guild urges PM Modi to put digital media rules on hold
3 years, 11 months ago

Editors Guild urges PM Modi to put digital media rules on hold

Hindustan Times  

The Editors Guild of India has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put in abeyance the new digital media rules and criticised the three-tier mechanism to enforce the code of ethics, saying it was “regressive” and would be “adverse to the freedom of the press”. The letter has also been addressed to Union law and justice minister Ravi Shankar Prasad …

I&B minister dispels myths around new rules in meeting with OTT players
4 years ago

I&B minister dispels myths around new rules in meeting with OTT players

Live Mint  

New Delhi: The self-regulatory bodies formed by digital news publishers and over-the-top video streaming platforms will not have any member appointed by the government, the information & broadcasting ministry clarified on Thursday. The I&B minister Prakash Javadekar met representatives of OTT platforms and dispelled myths around the digital media guidelines notified last week. “Thus, it was decided that the government …

What Is The Newly Notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines And Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.?
4 years ago

What Is The Newly Notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines And Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.?

Live Law  

The government on 25th February notified about the Information Technology Rules, 2021 at a press conference with the presence of Prakash Javedkar and Ravi Shankar Prasad which aims to regulate social media, digital media and OTT Platforms. Also, they borrowed most of the rules from an existing regulation controlling and governing the television media which includes the grievance redressal mechanism. …

A wolf in watchdog’s clothing: The Hindu Editorial on Indian government’s move to regulate digital media platforms
4 years ago

A wolf in watchdog’s clothing: The Hindu Editorial on Indian government’s move to regulate digital media platforms

The Hindu  

The new rules introduced by the Centre last week to regulate all types of digital platforms, with the idea of redressing user grievances and ensuring compliance with the law, are deeply unsettling as they will end up giving the government a good deal of leverage over online news publishers and intermediaries. The three-tier regulatory mechanism will seek to redress complaints …

Online content regulation: The good, the odd and the untenable
4 years ago

Online content regulation: The good, the odd and the untenable

Live Mint  

On 25 February, the Information Technology Rules, 2021, were released jointly by the ministries of information and broadcasting and of electronics and information technology. They were met with an anticipated storm of dissent, particularly over rules that would regulate online content, such as user-generated material on social media and curated entertainment and news. The European Union’s Audio visual Media Services …

New Social Media Rules Could Threaten Free Expression in India, Warn Critics
4 years ago

New Social Media Rules Could Threaten Free Expression in India, Warn Critics

News 18  

Internet freedom advocates on Friday warned new Indian social media regulations could pose a threat to freedom of expression, after New Delhi announced plans for tough new rules that could force platforms to remove content it deems objectionable. Under the new regulations — unveiled on Thursday and due to come into force in three months — social media platforms, online …

The Hindu Explains | Why has the government announced new guidelines to regulate digital content?
4 years ago

The Hindu Explains | Why has the government announced new guidelines to regulate digital content?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On Thursday, in a long-anticipated move, the government notified guidelines that seek to provide a grievance redressal mechanism for users of digital platforms of all kinds — social media sites, messaging apps, over-the-top streaming services, and digital news publishers. The Information Technology Rules, 2021 also mandate that social media and messaging platforms will have to adhere …

Rule on Blocking Contents Not New, Been Around Since 2009: Govt Defends Digital Media Guidelines
4 years ago

Rule on Blocking Contents Not New, Been Around Since 2009: Govt Defends Digital Media Guidelines

News 18  

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Saturday clarified that the provision in the new digital media guidelines to block internet content in a case of emergency nature has been around as a rule since 2009 and was not recently introduced. Certain misgivings are being raised regarding Rule 16 under Part III of the guidelines which mention that in a case …

India introduces new rules to regulate online content
4 years ago

India introduces new rules to regulate online content

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Information Technology Ministry said the new regulations would …

Debate Between IT Committee and Opposition on Need for Certification and Censor Board
4 years, 2 months ago

Debate Between IT Committee and Opposition on Need for Certification and Censor Board

News 18  

The Department Related Standing Committee for Information Technology under Shashi Tharoor met on Wednesday on the issue of the need and functioning of the Central Board for Film Certification. Sources said MPs, including Tharoor and TMC’s Mohua Moitra, asked the ministry if it is important to censor content and if mere certification is not enough. How will you manage to …

Content tracking: The Hindu Editorial on government regulation of online news, OTT services
4 years, 4 months ago

Content tracking: The Hindu Editorial on government regulation of online news, OTT services

The Hindu  

The recent decision of the government to bring video streaming services and online news under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was much anticipated, though with some trepidation. Recently, when the Supreme Court asked for its suggestions toward improving the existing self-regulatory mechanism for television media, in a case involving Sudarshan News, the government stated that regulating …

Will regulation of digital media lead to an era of government censorship? | The Hindu In Focus podcast
4 years, 4 months ago

Will regulation of digital media lead to an era of government censorship? | The Hindu In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

On November 11, the government issued an order bringing online news portals and Over The Top content–providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar under the regulatory purview of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. This is a move with far-reaching consequences and could kickstart an era of more frequent and stricter censorship on what online services air. The Information …

Is the party over for Indian streaming platforms?
4 years, 4 months ago

Is the party over for Indian streaming platforms?

Live Mint  

On 27 May, #CensorWebSeries trended on Twitter. The accounts receiving the most engagement under the trend so far are right wing organisations like the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; Hindu nationalist publishers’ group Sanatan Prabhat, and several individuals with bios along the same lines.” Such calls to ban online shows and platforms have been common in the last few years. Series like …

India to regulate online news and social media sites
4 years, 4 months ago

India to regulate online news and social media sites

Al Jazeera  

New order brings online news portals and content providers such as Netflix under the ambit of the gov’t in a first step to regulate digital media. India’s government has issued an order bringing the regulation of online news portals and content providers such as Netflix under the authority of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in a first step to …

Internet and Mobile Association of India Sets up New Code to Govern Content on Streaming Platforms, Responds To Concerns
5 years, 1 month ago

Internet and Mobile Association of India Sets up New Code to Govern Content on Streaming Platforms, Responds To Concerns

The Quint  

Chatterjee, responded to this by saying that “The entertianment committee was started in IAMAI four years ago. The content has remained, and we’re just adding another tier to the complaints process.” “It was not discussed with the entertainment committee, because it did not concern the entire entertainment committee. Arre, and Ajay Chacko said that he will not sign it, and …

India’s Plan to Curb Hate Speech Could Mean More Censorship
6 years, 2 months ago

India’s Plan to Curb Hate Speech Could Mean More Censorship

Wired  

New rules proposed by the Indian government to rein in tech giants and combat fake news could have a profoundly chilling effect on free speech and privacy online. Under the new rules, platforms would be required to deploy automated tools to ensure that information or content deemed “unlawful” by government standards never appears online. The unlawful definition likely would encompass …

Sanskari Censor Board to go online soon
8 years, 1 month ago

Sanskari Censor Board to go online soon

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: ‘Sanskari Censor Board’ is soon expected to bring in transparency in the film certification process. Filmmakers, who have often cried hoarse about harassment and corruption in securing a censor certification, are in for a pleasant surprise as the Central Board for Film Certification is understood to be considering to establish a transparent online mechanism for the process. Sources …

Govt decision welcome: Censor Board chief Nihalani on revamp committee
9 years, 2 months ago

Govt decision welcome: Censor Board chief Nihalani on revamp committee

Hindustan Times  

The Centre on Friday constituted a committee headed by acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal to look at a possible revamping of the censor board, facing allegations of stifling artistic freedom under present chairman Pahlaj Nihalani. The move comes in the wake of a number of controversies the board courted after Nihalani took charge last year, and within days of Union minister …

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