NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for stricter laws to regulate content on social media and OTT platforms. While replying to supplementary questions in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw emphasized that the existing laws need to be further strengthened to curb the spread of vulgar content on these platforms.

Vaishnaw acknowledged that social media is an important tool for press freedom, but pointed out the absence of editorial oversight, which often leads to the display of inappropriate content. “While social media is a very big medium of freedom of the press, it is also important to ensure that vulgar content does not find a place on these platforms,” he said.

Regarding content on OTT platforms, Vaishnaw highlighted the cultural differences between India and the countries where many of these platforms originate. He urged the Standing Committee of Parliament to take up the issue and suggested the formulation of strict laws to regulate content on these platforms.

The Minister referred to the IT Rules, 2021, notified under the Information Technology Act, which set guidelines for OTT platforms. These include a Code of Ethics that requires platforms to avoid transmitting content prohibited by law and to classify content into five age-based categories. The Code also mandates that OTT platforms implement safeguards to restrict age-inappropriate content for children.

Vaishnaw further noted that, in March this year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting took action against 18 OTT platforms for broadcasting obscene and vulgar content. The platforms were blocked under the provisions of the IT Act.