The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 19th February 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The danger of a digital censor board

• A controversy has arisen surrounding the show India’s Got Latent due to inappropriate comments made by YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia.
• Hosted by comedian Samay Raina, the show is known for its dark humor and has become very popular, especially among young viewers.
• However, the controversy goes beyond individual remarks and reflects a larger struggle for control over digital media.

Legal View on Vulgarity

• The Supreme Court dismissed criminal cases regarding foul language in an OTT show, stating that obscenity should be judged objectively.
• Allahabadia’s remarks, while crude, do not legally qualify as obscene.
• Despite legal precedents, moral outrage often leads to intimidation and censorship.

Use of Section 69A for Censorship

• The government has used Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, to block content, although “decency and morality” are not valid grounds for blocking websites.
• The government has a history of censorship, as seen in the blocking of Savita Bhabhi and increased content restrictions through the IT Rules, 2021.

Push for Stronger Digital Regulations

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is promoting a new Broadcasting Bill to regulate online creators like traditional broadcasters.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT is advocating for stricter digital regulations.

Pattern of Government Crackdown on Content

• Similar actions were taken against Tandav (2021), where government pressure led to scene cuts and legal cases against creators.
• OTT platforms have increasingly complied with government censorship to avoid legal issues.

Political and Economic Implications

• The controversy reflects a larger shift in governance known as techno-patrimonialism.
• Political parties are competing on digital censorship, aligning with cultural nationalism and populist welfare policies.

Future of Digital Freedom

•  Online creators may soon advocate for “regulation” to avoid harsher crackdowns. 
•  The debate on digital content regulation is part of a broader political shift, not just a reaction to an offensive joke.