Since December 2021, 122 news stations on YouTube have been blocked: Thakur Anurag

 Since December 2021, 122 news stations on YouTube have been blocked: Thakur Anurag

The Bill aims to reinforce the self-regulatory framework for content control by outlining regulatory procedures, including modern definitions and allowances for developing technologies.

According to him, intermediaries might get notices from nodal officials instructing them to block access to URLs that violate copyright.

The Center said on Thursday that, as of December 2021, 122 YouTube news channels would no longer be allowed to broadcast anything about the nation's "sovereignty and integrity." Anurag Thakur, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha that the stations broadcast information that was against the Information Technology Act's Section 69A.

In order to protect India's sovereignty and integrity, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has chosen to prohibit the public from accessing 122 YouTube-based news stations that broadcast information that contravenes Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, as of December 2021. There are now guidelines in place." He said, "To prevent the commission of any cognizable offense relating to public order, friendly relations with foreign states, defense of India, or the above."

According to Thakur, all private satellite television stations must adhere to the program code specified by the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 with regard to the material that they transmit. This rule applies to electronic media. "A three-tiered grievance redressal process is also provided by the Act to address complaints pertaining to TV networks' alleged violations of the code. The minister said that proper action is taken when code infractions are discovered. Answering to a different query, Thakur said that the current Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the rules governing the broadcasting industry are to be replaced by a draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, which the government has put up. As.

The Bill aims to reinforce the self-regulatory framework for content control by outlining regulatory procedures, including modern definitions and allowances for developing technologies. He stated that stakeholders, including subject matter experts and the general public, have been asked to provide input and views on the draft Bill by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

In response to an additional query, Thakur said that the Central Board of Film Certification and nodal authorities within the ministry have established an institutional system to handle complaints against the online exhibition of pirated or infringing versions of movies. According to him, intermediaries might get notices from nodal officials instructing them to block access to URLs that violate copyright.