New Delhi: Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw today stressed an “urgent” need to strengthen existing laws governing social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms that deliver content over the internet.
Addressing a ‘Parliament Question’ during the ongoing session of the Lok Sabha, the Minister urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee to take up “this important matter” as a priority. “There should be societal consensus on it, along with stricter laws to address this challenge,” he said.
Vaishnaw referred to social media as becoming a space for “uncontrolled expression, which often includes vulgar content”. He contended that while editorial checks in traditional press played a crucial role in bringing accountability, this was missing in the era of social media.
“We are living in the era of social media and OTT platforms. However, the democratic institutions and traditional forms of the press that once relied on editorial checks to ensure accountability and correctness of content, have seen these checks diminish over time,” he elaborated.
He noted that due to the absence of such editorial oversight, social media has become a platform for freedom of the press on the one hand, but, on the other hand, it has also become a space for uncontrolled expression, which often includes vulgar content.
Acknowledging the distinct cultural differences between India and the geographies where these platforms originated, Vaishnaw emphasized, “The cultural sensitivities of India vastly differ from those of the regions where these platforms were created. This makes it imperative for India to make existing laws stricter, he said and urged everyone to come to a consensus on this matter.
– global bihari bureau
