The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on November 12.

BY a notification, the central government has brought all digital/online media platforms and online content providers within the ambit of the ministry of information & broadcasting. These were under the ministry of information and electronic technology earlier, and subject to various provisions under the IT Act to deal with digital platforms and intermediaries.

This notification is a clear expression of intent that the central government is now moving to “regulate” digital media content. Having muzzled the print and electronic/visual media to a considerable extent, it is moving to control digital media.

The CPI(M) is opposed to control of the digital media by a government department. The CPI(M) believes that the existing laws and IT Act are adequate for the purpose of a healthy digital media.