I&B Ministry
I&B ministry mulls new legal framework to regulate digital content
MUMBAI:The ministry of information and broadcasting is examining existing laws and contemplating a new legal framework to regulate “harmful” content on digital platforms amidst rising concerns over obscenity and violence, officials said.
In its response to the parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology, headed by BJP member of parliament Nishikant Dubey, the ministry acknowledged growing societal concern that constitutional freedom of expression was being misused to showcase objectionable content on digital platforms.
The ministry’s scrutiny comes in the wake of recent controversies, including inflammatory comments by social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia. Though he later apologised and received protection from arrest from the supreme court, the incident sparked widespread condemnation and criminal cases.
Unlike traditional print and electronic media, which operate under specific regulations, new media services such as over-the-top (OTT) platforms and YouTube currently lack a dedicated regulatory framework. This regulatory gap has intensified calls for legislative reform.
The ministry recently issued an advisory to online curated content publishers, emphasising strict adherence to the code of ethics prescribed under the Information Technology Rules, 2021. The advisory particularly stressed age-based content classification and implementation of access control mechanisms for adult-rated content.
“This ministry has received references from honourable members of parliament, representations from statutory organisations, and public grievances regarding the alleged spread of obscene, pornographic and vulgar content,” the ministry stated in its communication to OTT platforms.
The move follows expressions of concern from various quarters, including high courts, the supreme court, and statutory bodies such as the national commission for women. While some worry about potential censorship, recent controversies have strengthened demands for more robust content regulation.
The ministry has committed to submitting a detailed proposal following thorough deliberations on the matter. The initiative aims to balance freedom of expression with responsible content creation in the digital space.
I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati sets EPG standards for DD Free Dish platform
New specs define 7-day guide, LCN mapping, and device compatibility.
MUMBAI: Your TV guide just got a backstage pass structured, scheduled, and far more in sync. Prasar Bharati has released detailed technical specifications for Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) services on DD Free Dish, laying down a standardised framework for how channels and programme information are organised and delivered. At the core of the update is a defined EPG data structure, covering genre-based categorisation, scheduling formats, and Logical Channel Numbering (LCN). The aim is simple: make navigation less guesswork and more guided experience across the platform’s over 40 million households.
The specifications also introduce a seven-day programme guide window for each channel, alongside clear rules for channel grouping and LCN mapping effectively deciding not just what you watch, but how easily you find it.
On the technical front, the document outlines requirements for Program Specific Information (PSI) and Service Information (SI), including descriptor usage across tables such as PAT, BAT and NIT. It further details service lists and network linkage parameters, giving OEMs and developers a clearer blueprint for integration.
Importantly, the framework is designed to work seamlessly with television sets equipped with in-built satellite tuners, enabling users to access DD Free Dish directly without additional hardware, an incremental but meaningful step towards simplifying access.
The platform will continue to operate on GSAT-15 transponders, using MPEG-4 compression and DVB-S2 transmission standards, ensuring continuity even as the interface evolves.
While largely technical, the move signals a broader push towards standardisation and user-friendly discovery in India’s free-to-air ecosystem because sometimes, the real upgrade isn’t what’s on screen, but how easily you get there.
