Assess the role and significance of TRAI with the special reference of censorship

Introduction

People want to have reliable protection from false information, to stay secure on the Internet, and to protect our children from harmful content. But we can do it by ourselves. It is not necessary to prohibit visits to specific new media platforms or sites at the government level. Each person can decide which website to visit, which news to read, and which privacy tools to use to surf the net. In the 21st century, all forms of obtaining information should be available and allowed to citizens. And to protect our children, it is better to use internal blockers of certain sites that will restrict access to undesirable content. It may not be accurate to conclude that digital media platforms are completely unregulated or free from any form of censorship, solely on the ground that there is no regulatory framework specifically setting out the manner of censorship. 

In terms of the IT Act, while the intent of the provisions is to ensure that sexually explicit and obscene content is not published online, its extension and applicability to OTT media platforms is arguably a form of censorship. Given the increasing viewership of content on new media platforms and the corresponding impact on revenues, not only for owners of digital platforms, but also telecom operators providing internet data services, a regulatory framework for the operation of the OTT platforms does seem to be on the horizon. Moreover, It qualify as intermediaries under the IT Act, they will also be required to comply with the intermediaries guidelines.

Materials and Methods

The study is empirical and descriptive in nature. Feedback, responses and views of senior telecom professionals of India are considered. Convenient sampling method was used to select the sample. In the concerned study, a questionnaire was distributed to 280 respondents, but finally 130 completely filled questionnaires were received.

Results

In this survey, 57.1 per cent liked the content of Online Media. And 21.4 per cent people preferred chatting, while 14.3 per cent liked web series and 7.1 per cent preferred movies.

Significantly, The inclusion of online news portals in the order was also seen as concerning, and part of continuing government moves to bring online news under its control. On November 11, 2020, a law was passed stating that digital news platforms could not have more than 26% foreign investment. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter will also be subject to regulation, though it is unclear how this will be enforced. The government said details of the law would be announced this week.

Discussion

On November 11, 2020, India’s government has ordered that all online news, social media and video streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime are to be subject to state regulation, raising fears of increased censorship of digital media. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which regulates and censors print newspapers, television, films and theatre, will also have jurisdiction, under the new order, over digital news and entertainment platforms in India. 

Moreover, Online news and entertainment have up to now been overseen by the Ministry of Technology, which does not interfere with or regulate content. Streaming platforms were pushed to come up with a code for self-censorship, but all versions were rejected.

Importantly, The inclusion of online news portals in the order was also seen as concerning, and part of continuing government moves to bring online news under its control. In October, 2020, a law was passed stating that digital news platforms could not have more than 26% foreign investment. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter will also be subject to regulation, though it is unclear how this will be enforced. The government said details of the law would be announced soon. However, In August 2019, the Union Cabinet approved 26 per cent FDI under government route for uploading or streaming of news and current affairs through digital media, on the lines of print media. 

Conclusion

According to this study, The regulatory framework for New Media has undergone massive transformative changes in the wake of digitalization and the impact of “Novel Coronavirus”. From work to entertainment, education to social events, massive activities are shifting online as the offline alternatives are impractical. Hence, Such regulatory framework requires transformative reforms to strengthen the ‘New Media’ sphere. The study also finds that most of the urban population are using digital content on a daily basis for gaining information, knowledge, promotions, event planning and much more. Thus, A permanent regulatory framework can be made for monitoring purposes of the new media to ensure the standard quality and authenticity, the study said. In this age, it’s a dire need to regulate and monitor digital content in a very appropriate manner as it is a tool of the ‘freedom of speech and expression’.