With reference to regulation of media content in India, consider the following statements:1.There are no specific laws on content allowed or prohibited in print and electronic media, radio, films or OTT platforms.2.Before Information Technology Rules, 2021 the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had no powers to regulate internet content in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Notes:

Both statements are correct.

Statement 1 is correct: There are no specific laws on content allowed or prohibited in print and electronic media, radio, films or OTT platforms.
- The content on any of these platforms has to follow the free speech rules of the country, Article 19(1) of the Constitution, while protecting the freedom of speech also lists certain “reasonable restrictions”.
- Action can be taken if any of these restrictions is violated.
Statement 2: Earlier, the I&B Ministry had the powers to regulate content across all sectors — TV channels, newspapers and magazines, movies in theatres and on TV, and the radio – barring the internet. But after the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the power has been extended over internet content too, especially on digital news platforms and OTT platforms.

Source: Article