The central government has taken a major decision on 11 November 2020. Under this decision, digital media will also be under the control and control of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The government issued an order on 11 November 2020 stating that now the content of online films, audio-visual programs and online news and current affairs will be under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Online news portals and online content programs running in the country will now come under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Its notification has been issued by the central government. The central government had earlier advocated in a case in the Supreme Court that regulation of online mediums is more important than TV.
The central government has now taken the step of bringing the nude or content giving mediums under the ministries through online mediums. This order of the government has come into force with immediate effect. According to the order, film and audio-visual programs provided by online content providers and news and current content on online platforms will come under the Ministry of Information.
During the hearing of a case in the Supreme Court, the court stressed the need to regulate electronic media. The Central Government had said in this court that if the Supreme Court has to set the standard for electronic media, then rules should be made for digital media first. The Central Government gave the reasoning behind this and said that there are already guidelines for electronic and print media, while digital media has a much greater reach, it also has more impact.
The central government had said that it would consider giving benefits like PIB recognition to journalists, photographers and videographers of digital media bodies. The government also said that it would also consider giving these journalists, photographers, videographers access to the participants in the official press conference.
According to the affidavit of the Center given in the Supreme Court, the government has given licenses of regular news channels to 385 channels across the country. These channels broadcast non-entertainment programs along with news. There are also talks, debate programs and many other programs to convey information to the public. Apart from this, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also licensed 530 such channels which completely broadcast programs of entertainment, sports and devotion, spirituality.
