iWorld
Govt supports rights of Indians to communicate via social media: Ravi Shankar Prasad
NEW DELHI: Those who are in politics must learn to be tolerant even in the face of criticism, Communications and Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, adding that the government fully supports the right of millions of Indians to communicate on social media as it is protected by Article 19 (1) of the Constitution and is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19 (2).
In a statement, he said he was “deeply distressed” over the arrest of a young school boy in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on sharing a questionable Facebook comment, which according to him was unintentional. “His arrest has made me very uncomfortable and I am assuming that bail has been granted to him,” he said.
Social media has seen phenomenal growth in India and communication and exchange of ideas particularly by young minds must be appreciated and complemented.
Prasad, “All the state governments need to follow the central advisory so that there is no abuse of section 66(A) of the Information Technology Act. Freedom of speech and expression is sacrosanct in the Constitution. Obviously in the cases of terrorism, extremism, rabid communal violence appropriate safety measures must be taken. However, no impression should go that in a democracy we are curbing the right to communicate.”
He said the Constitutional validity of section 66A of the IT Act is under consideration by the Supreme Court. “I appeal to the law enforcement agencies all over the country to be alive to the sensitivity involved while exercising powers to arrest under section 66A of the IT Act,” he said.
iWorld
Tata Play Binge adds Pocket Films to micro drama platform Shots
Over 210 micro dramas and 220 hours of content strengthen short form play
MUMBAI: Short stories are getting shorter and sharper. Tata Play Binge is doubling down on snackable storytelling, adding Pocket Films to its micro-drama hub Shots as it looks to capture India’s fast-growing appetite for quick-consumption content. The move expands Shots into a deeper, more diverse catalogue, now featuring over 210 micro-dramas and 220 hours of short-format programming across genres such as action, drama and thriller. The content spans Hindi and key regional languages, reflecting the increasingly local yet mobile-first nature of viewing habits.
Pocket Films brings with it a library of emotionally driven, culturally rooted narratives, including micro-dramas like Chaturanga, Vidushi, Maasa, Silent Cycle and Pilibhit, alongside short films such as Lock-up, Dubki and The Disguise. The addition builds on existing partnerships with Bullet and Stage, strengthening Shots as a one-stop destination for bite-sized storytelling.
Designed for vertical viewing, the platform leans into scroll-friendly interfaces, auto-play sequencing and seamless discovery mirroring the habits of always-on, digital-first audiences. The content remains ad-supported and is available within the Tata Play Binge app at no additional cost.
The integration also sits within a broader aggregation strategy. Tata Play Binge currently offers access to 30 plus OTT services including Prime Video, JioHotstar, Zee5 and Apple TV+ through a single subscription and interface, aiming to simplify fragmented streaming consumption.
As platforms race to keep up with shrinking attention spans, Tata Play Binge’s bet is straightforward: when stories get shorter, the catalogue needs to get bigger and faster.
