Today, On 27th November, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need to strengthen existing laws to tackle the issue of vulgar content on social media platforms. Speaking amidst disruptions in the House, he called for stricter regulations to address the growing concern. Vaishnaw highlighted the urgency of curbing objectionable material to ensure safer online spaces.
New Delhi: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on Wednesday that there is a pressing need to make existing laws stricter to address the issue of vulgar content on social media platforms.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Information and Broadcasting Minister urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee to examine this matter and called for a consensus on creating more stringent regulations.
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He noted,
“Earlier, there were editorial checks to determine what was appropriate, but those checks have since disappeared. Today, while social media serves as a platform for press freedom, it is largely uncontrolled and contains vulgar content.”
Vaishnaw emphasized the necessity of tightening existing laws to effectively curb this kind of content amidst the uproar in the House. He was responding to questions from BJP member Arun Govil regarding current mechanisms to monitor and prevent the illegal broadcast of vulgar and sexual content on social media and whether the government plans to enhance these laws given their ineffectiveness in preventing misuse.
Vulgar content on social media refers to material that is offensive, obscene, or indecent, violating societal norms of propriety and decency. This may include explicit language, graphic imagery, sexually inappropriate material, or content promoting hate, harassment, or abuse. Such content undermines the ethical standards of online interactions and can harm individuals or communities.
Legal provisions to address vulgar content on social media in India include
- Information Technology Act, 2000:
- Section 67: Punishes publishing or transmitting obscene content electronically, with penalties including imprisonment of up to three years and fines.
- Section 67A: Addresses sexually explicit material, with harsher penalties.
- Section 69A: Empowers authorities to block public access to content that threatens morality, decency, or public order.
- Indian Penal Code (IPC):
- Section 292: Prohibits the sale, distribution, or exhibition of obscene material.
- Section 354D: Addresses online stalking or harassment of women.
- Section 509: Penalizes acts or words intended to insult a woman’s modesty, applicable to online platforms.
- Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986:
- Restricts the depiction of women in an indecent or derogatory manner in electronic media.
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These laws aim to curb objectionable content while promoting accountability on social media platforms.
Ashwini Vaishnaw’s statement highlights the need for stronger legal measures to tackle the growing issue of vulgar content on social media. While existing laws provide a foundation, the increasing volume and impact of inappropriate online material calls for more stringent regulations. Strengthening these laws would help create safer and more responsible digital spaces, ensuring that social media remains a platform for positive and meaningful interactions.