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Nowadays, almost everyone owns a smartphone, and we often turn to digital media or OTT platforms for entertainment during our spare time. However, this vast world of the internet sometimes serves up content that falls short of societal standards. The government has now adopted a clear and strict stance regarding this issue.

Recently, the government provided detailed information in the Lok Sabha about the measures taken to regulate digital media and OTT platforms. Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, stated that the government is consistently taking stringent decisions under the IT Rules, 2021, to ensure the digital space remains safe and wholesome.

**Crackdown on 50 OTT Platforms**
Over the past two years, as part of a digital cleanup drive, the government has completely blocked public access to 50 OTT platforms in India. These platforms were accused of broadcasting obscene and objectionable content. The government clarified that this strict action was taken under the provisions of the IT Act, Section 294 of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. This decision sends a clear message: there is no room for platforms to act arbitrarily in the digital world simply to garner views while disregarding the rules.

**A Three-Tier Grievance Redressal System**
Viewers often encounter highly objectionable content in digital news or web series but are unsure where to lodge a complaint. To address this, the government has implemented a robust three-tier grievance redressal mechanism. At the first level, your complaint goes directly to the publisher. If the issue remains unresolved, a self-regulating body of publishers reviews the matter at the second level. If a resolution is still not reached, the central government's oversight mechanism intervenes directly at the third level. This system grants viewers a transparent mechanism to register their grievances.

**Special Cell Established to Combat Fake News**
In the era of social media, misinformation spreads rapidly. Misleading information—particularly regarding Central Government schemes or decisions—often misleads the general public. To tackle this issue at its root, the government has established a 'Fact Check Unit' (FCU). This unit verifies the authenticity of news reports by cross-referencing them with government departments and official sources. Subsequently, accurate and authentic information is published for the public across various media platforms.

**Accountability Alongside Freedom of Expression**
The government has clarified that the objective of these new regulations is not to stifle voices, but to ensure a defined level of accountability. Under the IT Rules 2021, a specific 'Code of Ethics' has been formulated for digital news and OTT publishers. The primary aim is to enable people to fully exercise their freedom of expression in the digital space while ensuring that this freedom is not used to violate the laws of the land.

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