I&B Ministry
Parliamentary panel questions legality of new digital media rules
KOLKATA: The parliamentary standing committee on information and technology grilled officials from the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) and the ministry of electronics and information technology (MEITY) on the new rules for monitoring over-the-top (OTT) platforms, digital media and social media intermediaries.
The parliamentary panel headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned the legality of the new regulatory framework, according to media reports.
Several questions on framing the guidelines were raised – whether industry stakeholders were consulted before framing the guidelines, if opinions were taken from intellectual people, civic society, and the judiciary. Another key point flagged was whether the rules are in conformity with the existing framework.
In their deposition, ministry officials have assured the panel that due process was followed before the new rules were introduced. They justified the need for such rules in changing times and also explained the rationale behind them.
Earlier in a meeting, the panel told MIB officials that it hoped the ministry would implement the rules with due regard to the importance of promoting creativity and protecting freedom of expression while maintaining a robust oversight mechanism.
On 25 February, the Centre notified an expansive framework to govern online content, titled Information Technology (Guidelines for intermediaries and digital media ethics code) Rules 2021. It gave online content providers between 30 to 90 days to comply with the same. Under the new guidelines, a three-tier oversight mechanism for online content has been put in place.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
