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A parliamentary committee will review India’s media laws covering print, television and digital platforms during 2026-27.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has selected the implementation of media regulations as part of its examination of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The review will cover the functioning of existing laws across different media platforms, including digital news, broadcasting and online services.
According to a Lok Sabha bulletin issued on October 28, the committee has identified 12 subjects for examination. These include Prasar Bharati, the film industry, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, digital and social media, television rating mechanisms and regulatory concerns involving the pay-TV subscriber base.
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Why Is Parliament Reviewing Media Regulations?
The review comes amid increasing overlap between traditional broadcasting and digital media, raising questions about regulatory consistency, accountability and the implementation of existing laws.
Television broadcasters, newspapers and online platforms operate under different regulatory arrangements, although their services increasingly reach audiences through similar digital channels. The committee’s examination is expected to address these differences and assess how existing regulatory provisions are being implemented across the media sector.
The review also follows earlier parliamentary discussions on developing a common regulatory approach for different forms of media.
What Changes Were Previously Recommended?
In its 11th report on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Demands for Grants for 2025-26, presented in March 2025, the committee recommended exploring a comprehensive Media Bill. It also suggested establishing a Media Council covering print, broadcasting and digital media under a common framework.
The committee recommended consulting other ministries and organisations, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to improve coordination.
The Press Council of India had also supported a common legislative framework. Its 2021 annual report recommended a single law covering newspapers, periodicals, electronic newspapers, news portals, social media, television and radio.
How Are Digital Media Rules Currently Divided?
Regulatory responsibilities for digital media are divided between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and MeitY. Under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, MIB administers Part III, covering digital news publishers and OTT platforms, while MeitY oversees intermediaries under Part II.
In its 28th report, presented in August 2026, the parliamentary committee highlighted this division of responsibilities. The report also referred to the Bombay High Court’s stay on Rule 9(1), concerning adherence to the Code of Ethics, and Rule 9(3), relating to the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
What Issues Will the Committee Examine?
The committee has called for improved coordination between MIB and MeitY and sought updates on proposed changes to the regulatory framework. Its examination will consider how existing rules apply across different platforms and whether regulatory responsibilities require greater coordination.
The review will also cover broader media-sector issues, including television ratings, OTT services and the functioning of public broadcasting. The exercise could inform future discussions on a common media regulatory framework. However, the material available does not indicate that a comprehensive Media Bill has been introduced or that any new regulatory changes have been approved.
