Expanding digital controls narrow space for news, OTTs

The digital space in India has so far been open to free exchange. Since it is a relatively new platform, and still evolving, policing by the state has been low key. The result of this freedom and relatively low entry costs has been the spawning of millions of creative start-ups. News and entertainment have been redefined as never before. However, all this is set to change. The government has been clearly uncomfortable with this unregulated area that continues to challenge its writ. To plug the anomaly, a slew of measures in recent weeks threatens to shut down this slice of freedom.

We saw a demonstration of the new reality when Manipuri journalist Paobel Chaoba, was hauled up under the recently notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The ‘crime’: an online discussion on the subject: “Media Under Siege: Are Journalists Walking a Tight Rope?”. Thankfully, the Imphal District Magistrate’s notice was later withdrawn after the government clarified that such an order could only be issued by the Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry.