The Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology is set to meet on January 31 to “review the implementation of laws related to all forms of media” in India. According to NewsDrum reports, the meeting will likely address several crucial concerns impacting the media industry, including issues of sensationalism, paid news, fake news, and the struggles of traditional newspapers in the age of digital disruption.
According to the report, the panel may also highlight its concerns over disproportionate coverage given to crime and celebrity news at the cost of important and serious news as some channels turn to sensationalism in chasing TRPs.
Additionally, the committee will reportedly highlight how media trials, particularly in high-profile cases, can shape public opinion and influence legal proceedings, which poses serious challenges to the judicial system.
Another pressing issue is the conflict of interest involving media owners, journalists, and political entities, which compromises the credibility of news reporting. The committee is expected to discuss how the lack of strong regulatory mechanisms often leads to ethical breaches and the crossing of professional boundaries within the media sector.
It is also expected that the committee will also delve into the financial struggles facing regional and vernacular media outlets. With many of these organizations reliant on government advertisements, the media sector faces an unequal playing field, as larger national players dominate the advertising space. Furthermore, the expensive and long-drawn legal battles faced by journalists and media houses are discouraging investigative journalism, sources said.
As social media continues to grow in influence, the committee is expected to discuss the control wielded by large foreign corporations. The unregulated spread of information on these platforms is seen as a serious threat to society, political leaders, political parties, and the country at large. The committee will explore the need for stronger regulations to prevent social media from causing irreparable damage during critical periods, such as elections.
India’s media and entertainment sector is governed by a complex array of laws, including the Cinematograph Amendment Act, 2023; the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995; the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023; and the Press Council Act, 1978. However, the regulation of digital media and OTT platforms remains a challenge, with oversight currently under the IT Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021.
In February 2023, the committee had acknowledged a proposal from the Press Council of India (PCI) for the creation of a unified Media Council to oversee all forms of media. While the ministry expressed reservations, citing the distinct nature of various media platforms, the committee recommended exploring the feasibility of such a body with statutory powers to enforce its orders.
India’s media and entertainment sector is governed by a range of laws, including the Cinematograph Amendment Act, 2023; Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995; Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, and Press Council Act, 1978, which regulate films, television broadcasting and print media, respectively.
Digital media and OTT platforms are regulated under the IT Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021, while advertising is governed by the ministry’s advertising code, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the guidelines of the Advertising Standards Council of India. Intellectual property rights, including copyrights, are protected under the Copyright Act.
During the upcoming meeting, the committee is expected to review the journey of media laws in India, starting with the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act of 1867, which was later replaced by the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill in 2023. The committee is likely to discuss the role of the Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory body established under the Press Council of India Act, 1978, to preserve press freedom and maintain the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
Key participants in the meeting will include Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Prasar Bharti CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, and the Press Registrar General, among others. The committee is expected to engage in discussions not only about the present state of media laws but also their evolution and potential future reforms. (With inputs from agencies)
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