{"id":60057,"date":"2025-11-28T19:06:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=60057"},"modified":"2025-11-29T11:58:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T06:28:00","slug":"sc-highlighted-need-to-regulate-online-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/28-11-2025\/sc-highlighted-need-to-regulate-online-content","title":{"rendered":"SC Highlighted Need to Regulate Online Content"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court suggested a tougher line on user-generated content, calling for a <strong>neutral, autonomous regulator for social media platforms.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SC Observations\/Suggestions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SC said that there has to be <strong>some impartial, autonomous system to regulate social media platforms <\/strong>which will be <strong>free from the influence.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Freedom of speech<\/strong> is a valuable fundamental right, but it cannot lead to perversity, obscenity.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There can be some mechanism where the<strong> fundamental right to free speech can also be protected.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also suggested <strong>using the Aadhaar number or income tax PAN<\/strong> to verify the age of the user.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SC has asked the Centre to <strong>come back with draft rules for public consultation within four weeks.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ministry\u2019s Response<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said it is <strong>planning to amend the Code of Ethics published with the Information Technology Rules, 2021<\/strong> to <strong>incorporate guidelines on obscenity<\/strong> for all digital content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The proposals include<\/strong> rating of online content for different age groups and a bar on anti-national digital content.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This was being proposed <strong>in accordance with Article 19(1)(a) and the reasonable restrictions imposed under Article 19(2).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Digital content censorship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Digital content censorship refers to the<strong> control of online content by governments, organizations, or other entities.<\/strong> This includes:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>blocking websites and apps;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>removal of social media content;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>regulation of OTT (Over-The-Top) streaming platforms;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>restrictions on digital news and journalism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need for the Censorship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Curbing Misinformation and Fake News: <\/strong>Prevents rapid spread of rumours that can trigger mob violence, panic, and public disorder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Controlling Hate Speech and Communal Content: <\/strong>Essential to stop content that fuels communal tensions, incites violence, or threatens social harmony.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups:<\/strong> Restricts access to harmful, explicit, violent, or manipulative content that can exploit minors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Loopholes in Platform Accountability: <\/strong>Social media platforms delay content moderation, lack transparency, and often evade responsibility due to weak enforcement mechanisms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preventing Cybercrimes:<\/strong> There is a need to block websites and online content linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), trafficking, drug markets, and illegal financial activities to prevent cybercrimes and safeguard vulnerable users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Addressing AI Threats and Deepfakes:<\/strong> Necessary to regulate AI-generated fake videos\/photos that can damage reputations, distort democratic processes, and mislead citizens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legal Framework Governing Digital Censorship in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Right to Freedom of Speech (Article 19(1)(a)): <\/strong>&nbsp;Subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) concerning decency, morality, and public order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000<\/strong>: Section 69A grants the government power to block online content for security or public order concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Intermediary Guidelines &amp; Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021: <\/strong>Regulates social media, OTT platforms, and digital news media.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-Regulation by OTT Platforms: <\/strong>Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime follow self-regulatory frameworks such as the Digital Publishers Content Grievances Council (DPCGC).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-06-2021\/draft-cinematograph-amendment-bill-2021\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-06-2021\/draft-cinematograph-amendment-bill-2021\">Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)<\/a><\/strong>, which was established by the Cinematographic Act, of 1952, is responsible for censoring movies in India.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Digital Censorship in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Balancing Freedom of Speech &amp; Regulation<\/strong>: Over-regulation can suppress creativity, while under-regulation can spread harmful content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency &amp; Accountability:<\/strong> Content moderation and censorship decisions often lack clear guidelines, raising concerns about misuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jurisdictional Issues: <\/strong>Many digital platforms operate from outside India, making enforcement difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological Advancements: <\/strong>The rapid evolution of digital media complicates consistent and fair regulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthening Independent Regulatory Bodies:<\/strong> Ensuring that courts and neutral institutions review censorship decisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhancing Transparency in Content Moderation<\/strong>: Digital platforms should publish periodic transparency reports on content takedowns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encouraging Digital Literacy:<\/strong> Educating citizens to identify fake news rather than enforcing restrictive censorship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public Consultation in Policymaking<\/strong>: Involving journalists, legal experts, and civil society in framing digital content regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/legal-news\/supreme-court-for-autonomous-online-regulator-govt-says-amending-rules-on-digital-obscenity-10390183\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The Supreme Court suggested a tougher line on user-generated content, calling for a neutral, autonomous regulator for social media platforms.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>SC Observations\/Suggestions<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">SC said that there has to be some impartial, autonomous system to regulate social media platforms which will be free from the influence.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Freedom of speech is a valuable fundamental right, but it cannot lead to perversity, obscenity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">There can be some mechanism where the fundamental right to free speech can also be protected.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It also suggested using the Aadhaar number or income tax PAN to verify the age of the user.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/28-11-2025\/sc-highlighted-need-to-regulate-online-content\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60057"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60119,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60057\/revisions\/60119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}