In a major development, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called for stringent legislation to curtail vulgar content on social media. On Wednesday in the Lok Sabha, during the Winter Session of Parliament, he said strict legislation needs to be put in place to prevent hazardous material circulation on social media sites. He underlined the vast difference between the culture in India and that of the countries where most social media platforms originate, expressing hope that the Opposition would join the discussion on this issue.
Union Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw called for stringent laws to curb objectionable & uncontrolled content on social media while replying during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. @LokSabhaSectt @ombirlakota @loksabhaspeaker @Murugan_MoS @sansad_tv @PIB_India @airnewsalerts… pic.twitter.com/RaeE64nb2g
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 27, 2024
“I hope the opposition can come on board and we can have a discussion on this. I would like the Standing Committee of Parliament to take up this issue and strict laws are made regarding the same,” Vaishnaw stated.
The Union Minister stressed that social media platforms should adopt a more self-regulatory approach, especially when it comes to preventing content that could harm the fabric of Indian society. He also stated that the government intends to balance free speech with responsible content moderation.
Meanwhile, his words encapsulate the increase in awareness in Indian society of content presented on various social media outlets, primarily since platforms post content mostly unassociated with the country’s culture and ethics.
Supporting Ashwini Vaishnaw’s stance, actor Arun Govil, who famously portrayed Lord Ram in the iconic television series “Ramayan”, echoed the need for oversight.
Govil pointed out that much of the content circulating on social media, especially from private players, is not in harmony with Indian culture.
“There is a lot of content on social media, especially private players, which does not match Indian culture. There is a need for a watchdog to keep an eye on the kind of content that is being offered on various platforms”, he said.
Govil added the unregulated growth of private platforms has led to the unregulated distribution of inappropriate content. There are so many private players and so many platforms that have cropped up over the past few years. With no regulations on the content, anything and everything can be seen on platforms. The young people are being misled because of this content, he added.
The government’s view is that social media must hold greater responsibility for content that resides within their walls. It has also called upon them to take faster action on such harm-generating material and appointed grievances officers, along with putting the machinery in place for reporting issues by the user population.
With the aim of increasing transparency, the government has also sought an action report from social media platforms that will incorporate actions undertaken against detrimental content.
Earlier this month, Union Minister Vaishnaw also raised concerns over algorithms spreading fake news, algorithmic bias, and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. He highlighted the risk that sensational or polarizing content presented, warning that the speed at which fake news spreads erodes trust and jeopardizes democracy.
