In a significant move towards regulating digital media, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology is exploring the expansion of the Press Council of India Act to include online platforms such as social media and YouTube, The Storyboard18 has reported.

At a meeting held on Friday, the panel, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, reviewed the implementation of media-related laws with officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Press Council of India (PCI).

Currently, the Press Council of India (PCI) only regulates print media, while radio, television, and digital platforms function under separate oversight mechanisms. However, online platforms lack a central regulatory body, leading to inconsistencies in content governance.

A government source familiar with the discussions told Storyboard18, “The government has recommended the need for a unified media framework that applies across all platforms. A regulatory body would ensure uniform enforcement of media laws, covering print, electronic, and digital media.”

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is expected to present draft rules within the next two weeks, detailing how digital platforms could be integrated into the existing regulatory framework.