Parliament Question: Regulation of Digital Media Platforms

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2928 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 REGULATION OF DIGITAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

2928. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken steps to regulate digital media platforms under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and broadcasting policies;

(b) if so, whether guidelines have been issued for digital news publishers and OTT platforms;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the number of violations reported and the action taken thereon during the last three years;

(d) the mechanism put in place to ensure compliance while safeguarding freedom of expression; and

(e) whether any amendments or reforms are under consideration of the Government and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (e):

The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Part II of the IT Rules, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), among other obligations, requires intermediaries to observe due diligence in respect of the content hosted or published on their platforms.

Part-III of these Rules provide for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms). A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for adherence to

the Code of Ethics is also provided under the IT Rules as under:a. Level-I- Publisher b. Level-II- Self –Regulating Body of publishers, and c. Level-III- Oversight Mechanism of Central Government The provisions of self-regulation at Level-I and Level-II are in the spirit of safeguarding freedom of speech and expression while ensuring accountability of digital news publishers and OTT platforms.

Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 provides for notification to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to unlawful content.

Based on complaints, the Government regularly takes action against such intermediaries and OTT platforms. The Government has disabled 50 OTT platforms for public access in India in last two years for displaying obscene content and for violation of Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the BNS, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has been set up to check fake news relating to the Central Government. After verifying the authenticity of news from authorized sources in Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, FCU posts correct information on various media platforms.

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