I&B Ministry
Online content and news finally comes under MIB’s jurisdiction
KOLKATA: The meteoric rise of digital media has put high focus on how online content will be regulated. Until now there were no particular guidelines to regulate the exhibition of online content, even though talks have been going on for a long time. Now, the government has brought online news platforms and content providers under the ambit of the ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB).
The latest gazette notification issued by the Prakash Javadekar-headed ministry stated that films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers, as well as news and current affairs content on online platforms will come under MIB’s purview.
Earlier this year, MIB secretary Amit Khare said at FICCI e-Frames that the ministry is proposing to take over jurisdiction on online content regulation from the ministry of electronics & information technology.
“OTT being a digital platform will fall under the purview of the ministry of IT. We are proposing a decision that content should fall under purview of I&B. Convergence of ministries is extremely necessary,” Khare had remarked.
Amid intense pressure from the government, Internet and Mobile Association of India( IAMAI) also tried to push a self-regulatory model for online content curators. About 15 OTT players operating in the country came together to sign a code, but this was later disapproved by MIB. The ministry asked IAMAI to look at other models.
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
