The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology will review the implementation of laws governing print, television and digital media in India. The review will be part of its examination of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for 2026-27.

According to a report published by The Economic Times today, the committee has selected 12 subjects related to the ministry for examination, as mentioned in a Lok Sabha bulletin issued on October 28. These include the functioning of Prasar Bharati, the film industry, OTT platforms, digital and social media, television rating mechanisms and regulatory issues concerning the Pay-TV subscriber base.

The proposed review comes at a time when traditional television broadcasting and digital platforms are increasingly coming together. This has raised questions about overlapping regulations, accountability and the implementation of existing laws across different media platforms.

The committee has previously discussed the need for a common regulatory framework for different media platforms. In its 11th report on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Demands for Grants for 2025-26, presented in March 2025, it recommended that the government explore the possibility of a comprehensive Media Bill and a Media Council covering print, broadcasting and digital media under one framework. It also suggested seeking inputs from other ministries and organisations, including MeitY, to improve coordination.

The Press Council of India (PCI) has also supported the idea of a common law for different media platforms. In its 2021 annual report, it recommended a single legislation covering newspapers, periodicals, e-newspapers, news portals, social media, television and radio.

In its 28th report, presented in August 2026, the committee highlighted the division of regulatory responsibilities between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). MIB administers Part III of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, which covers digital news publishers and OTT platforms, while MeitY oversees intermediaries under Part II.

The report also noted that the Bombay High Court had stayed Rule 9(1), which concerns adherence to the Code of Ethics, and Rule 9(3), which relates to the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism. The committee called for better coordination between the two ministries and sought updates on proposed changes to the regulatory framework.