Centre to introduce law to regulate digital media: I&B Minister Anurag Thakur
Jaipur (PTI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has said the Centre is working on a bill to regulate digital media.
He said there used to be one-way communication of news earlier, but with the development of electronic and digital media, communication of news has become multidimensional.
Now even small news of a village reaches the national platform through digital media, he said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Thakur said the government has left most of the print, electronic, and digital media to self-regulation.
"Digital media presents opportunities as well as challenges. To have a fine balance, the government will see what can be done on this.
"I would say that changes have to be brought in law, we will bring that to make your work simple and easy. We are working to introduce a bill," Thakur said at an event organised by Hindi news daily Mahanagar Times.
Thakur also that the process of registration of newspapers will be simplified and the central government will soon bring a new law to replace the 1867 Press and Registration of Books Act.
Under the new law, it will be possible to complete the registration process, which now takes about four months, in a week through online mode.
The minister also said newspapers should bring the "right news" before the general public at the "right time."
He said along with the shortcomings of the government, public welfare schemes and policies of the government should reach to the common people.
He urged the media to do its work "responsibly" and avoid creating an atmosphere of "fear and confusion."
Thakur assured journalists that the Centre takes care of their interests and added that financial assistance was provided to families of the journalists who died of Covid.
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3 killed, 15 injured in fire after blast at firecracker unit in MP's Dewas; CM orders probe
Dewas/Indore (PTI): At least three workers were killed and 15 persons injured after a fire broke out following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Thursday, an official said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment, he said in a post on X.
Three persons were killed in the fire at the firecracker unit located in Tonk Kalan area, and around 15 injured persons were sent to hospitals in Indore and Dewas, Collector Rituraj Singh told reporters after inspecting the site.
Videos of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing thick white smoke billowing from the factory along the Agra–Mumbai national highway. The clips also showed people rushing the injured for treatment amid cries for help, with body parts seen scattered at the site.
The collector said the fire has been brought under control. The administration has taken possession of explosives stored at another location within the unit, he said.
The work to manufacture small firecrackers at the factory of a person named Anil Malviya had begun only 15 days ago, and a licence has been issued for the unit, the collector said.
A detailed investigation is underway into the incident, he added.
CM Yadav said, "I have directed Deputy Chief Minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident."
Local residents said there was a massive explosion at the factory, and the victims' body parts were found scattered far away from the site.
They said construction work was underway at the site and different sheds were being built there.
