Mr Kshitij Aggarwal
Deputy Director, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Mr Kshitij Aggarwal at the Harmonising ESG, CSR, CDR and SDGs, an India 2047 - Centre of Excellence Workshop
Mr Kshitij Aggarwal
Deputy Director
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Key Points
- Highlights the inefficacy of the self-regulatory frameworks in the Over-The-Top (OTT) media industry, noting that industry-funded oversight mechanisms lack enforcement power.
- He advocates for a co-regulatory framework with government oversight to ensure effective regulation.
- Policies of platforms like YouTube are vague and broad.
- Discussed the evolving concept of online harms and their challenges, emphasising the need for more profound research into their psychological and societal impacts.
- Also highlights online harms' slow and insidious nature and calls for tailored research within the Indian context to address them effectively.
Recommendations
Co-Regulation and Transparency
- Encourage the adoption of a co-regulatory framework in the OTT media industry, wherein industry self-regulation is supplemented with government oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
- Advocates for more transparent and more precise policies regarding misinformation on digital platforms.
- Collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop guidelines that define what constitutes, for instance, "serious risk of egregious harm" and establish transparent enforcement mechanisms.
- Invest in comprehensive research to understand the psychological and societal impacts of online harms in the Indian context.
Tailored Regulatory Approaches
- Tailor regulatory approaches to address the unique challenges posed by online harms, such as their impact's slow and insidious nature.
- Develop targeted interventions to effectively counteract these harms while respecting freedom of speech and cultural diversity.
- Ensure timely implementation of regulations governing online betting in India.
- Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to identify and take action against offshore betting platforms operating illegally in the country.
Public Participation and Reporting Mechanisms
- Encourage public participation in identifying and reporting harmful online behaviour, including misinformation and illegal betting activities.
- Establish clear reporting mechanisms and provide incentives for whistleblowers to come forward with information.
- Invest in capacity building for regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies to monitor and enforce regulations in the digital space effectively.
- Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the risks associated with online harms and empower them to report violations.
International Collaboration
- Foster collaboration with international partners to share best practices and strategies for regulating digital platforms and combating online harms.
- Participate in forums and initiatives to address global challenges related to misinformation, online betting and digital regulation.
- Work towards creating a safer and more regulated digital environment that protects citizens from online harms while promoting freedom of expression and innovation.
