Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology presents its report on ‘Regulation of Cable Television in India’
The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by Mr. Prataprao Jadhav, presented its report on the ‘Regulation of Cable Television in India’ on February 8, 2024. It highlighted the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework for cable TV, including OTT platforms, due to the current fragmented oversight by multiple regulators like TRAI, DoT, and MIB. The Committee recommended that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) implement a framework to unify content standards and become the registering authority for Local Cable Operators (LCOs).
Suresh Mansharamani vs. Union of India, Ministry of Electronics
In the case of Suresh Mansharamani vs. Union of India, Ministry of Electronics on January 30, 2024, the Delhi High Court, presided by Justice Subramonium Prasad, dismissed the petition. The petitioner approached the court seeking to quash the decision dated September 19, 2021, by Meta Platforms, which suspended his advertisement and business accoun. The court held that the petitioner has an alternate remedy under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and can appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee within 30 days. The court did not comment on the merits of the case and disposed of the petition and pending applications.
MeitY Issues Advisory to All Intermediaries to Comply with Existing IT Rules
In an advisory issued on December 26, 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has mandated that all digital intermediaries comply with existing IT rules to address the growing concern of misinformation, particularly AI-powered deepfakes.
Telecom law upgrades for a digital authoritarian state
The Telecom Bill 2023 extends the colonial architecture of regulation to digital authoritarianism, marking India’s transformation to a ‘rashtra’.