Guwahati, March 18: Raising serious concerns over the rise of low-standard digital news portals, Lok Sabha MP and Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia on Tuesday urged the Government of India to implement strict regulations to curb misinformation and safeguard democracy.
Speaking under Rule 377 in Parliament, Saikia highlighted how unregulated digital platforms are increasingly spreading false narratives, manipulated content, and misleading information, which he warned is eroding India’s political, cultural, and social fabric. He stressed that such unethical practices distort public perception and threaten the nation’s democratic values.
To counter this growing menace, Saikia demanded the establishment of a Regulatory Authority to oversee digital/portal news platforms. He proposed that this authority should scrutinize and approve operating licenses for digital news portals, enforce strict regulations to curb misinformation and unethical journalism and ensure accountability for misleading content that undermines social harmony and public trust.
Saikia emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to prevent these platforms from continuing to manipulate public opinion with fabricated stories and sensationalism. He called on the government to adopt a firm stance on media ethics and ensure that journalistic integrity remains intact.
“The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion. Allowing rogue digital platforms to spread deceitful narratives without accountability is a direct threat to our democracy,” Saikia added.
