Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, voiced concerns over the unchecked flow of content on social media and OTT platforms, citing the erosion of traditional editorial filters and the rise of vulgarity. He stated, “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.”

A call for culturally sensitive laws 

Highlighting India's unique social fabric, Vaishnaw emphasized the need for tailored laws to balance free expression with societal values, urging consensus to drive reforms. “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, and everyone should come to a consensus on this matter,” Vaishnaw stated. 

Parliamentary focus on accountability

The minister urged during the ongoing Parliamentary session to prioritize creating regulations that ensure accountability and curb misinformation effectively. “There should be societal consensus on it, along with stricter laws to address this challenge,” he said.