Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday called for strict curbs on obscene and objectionable content on social media. He said that existing laws need to be strengthened to deal with obscene content on social media and OTT platforms. Content that does not match Indian culture should be banned from being posted on social media. Union Minister Vaishnaw was responding to questions asked by BJP MP Arun Govil about laws to check online objectionable content available on social media and OTT platforms.
The Union Minister said that there is a lot of difference between our culture and the culture of the countries from where these social media platforms have come. So I would like the Standing Committee to take up this issue. The existing law needs to be strengthened and I request a consensus on this. Ashwini Vaishnaw also blamed the lack of editorial scrutiny on content posted online. The way editorial content used to be, if something is right or wrong, editorial scrutiny is over. Social media is a medium of freedom of the press, but at the same time, obscene content is also run due to the end of that editorial scrutiny.
Union Minister Vaishnav said that many social media platforms have emerged in the last few years. Anything is being served on them. Our youth are getting misled due to these materials. He said that the government wants moderators to be more responsible towards the content posted on social media platforms. He also talked about appointing a complaint officer on social media platforms in this regard, so that monitoring can be proper and quick.
The Union Minister said that the aim of the new law and monitoring would be to strike a balance between freedom of expression and responsible content. He also talked about controlling content promoting sensational and divisive mindset on digital platforms. The Union Minister said that the spread of false news not only reduces trust but is also dangerous for democracy and society.
