iWorld
Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on another plea challenging new IT rules
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday sought the Centre's response on another plea challenging the new Information Technology rules which seek to regulate digital news media.
A bench of chief justice D N Patel and justice Jasmeet Singh issued notices to the ministry of electronics and information technology and the ministry of information and broadcasting and granted them time to file their responses, PTI reported.
In its plea challenging the new IT rules, Quint Digital Media has argued that regulation of publishers of news and current affairs content, as provided under Part III, is in violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India, as reported by Bar and Bench. It stated that online news portals ought to be treated on par with print newspapers as they both contain written material on current affairs. It further argued that the rules attempt to proscribe content on digital media sites based on “vague and subjective grounds”.
The case was adjourned for 16 April along with another similar petition filed by the Foundation for Independent Journalism and The Wire, which had submitted that the rules put an additional regulatory burden on digital news media. A plea was also filed in the Kerala high court by legal website LiveLaw. In both cases, the courts had issued notices to the Centre.
The government had laid down the new rules for social media platforms, digital media and OTT platforms on 25 February. The Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 enable the setting up of a three-tier oversight mechanism for online content and a grievance redressal mechanism. Under the rules, social media and streaming companies will be required to take down contentious content quicker. It also makes these platforms more pliable in assisting government agencies in the investigation.
Several media organisations have criticised the rules stating that the regulations could pose a threat to freedom of expression by laying the ground for tightening executive control over digital media. The Editors Guild of India too had demanded the repeal of these rules, highlighting that the laws are “deeply concerning”.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
