Print & Electronic Media Rarely Cross The Line But Digital Media Is Uncontrolled, Centre Tells SC

New Delhi: The print and electronic media “rarely cross the line” by the very nature of their composition but the digital media is “completely uncontrolled” and “remains unregulated” by and large, the Centre has told the Supreme Court, PTI reported.

The government said that if the Supreme Court decides on the issue of media regulation, it should start first with web-based digital media, The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported quoting PTI.

A fresh affidavit filed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the top court may leave wider issues to be decided by the central government and the competent legislature or start the exercise with digital media.

The affidavit further said: “By the very nature of its composition, the print and electronic media would rarely cross the line which may need the intervention of these courts frequently. As against that, by its very nature the web-based digital media, by and large, remains unregulated.”

It said as against the limitation in the case of print media and mainstream electronic media, nothing is required for accessing digital media except a smartphone.

“This shows its potential spread and its potential to harm the very fabric of any nation. The electronic media would normally have a geographical barrier and would rarely have a global presence. The digital media, on the other hand, has a global presence both in terms of content coming from out of India and the content going out from within the country,” it said, PTI reported.

The affidavit was filed in connection with hearing a petition over Sudarshan TV’s ‘Bindas Bol’ programme. Its promo had claimed that channel would show the ‘big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service’.