Why in the News?

The Maharashtra cyber police have denied YouTuber Samay Raina’s request for more time to join the investigation into a case against him, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, and others. The case was filed over an “obscene joke” made by Allahbadia on Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent.

What is an “obscene joke”? 

• An “obscene joke” is a joke that contains sexually explicit, vulgar, or offensive content that may be considered inappropriate, indecent, or immoral by societal standards.

What are the Ethical Issues Surrounding Obscenity?

• Freedom of Expression vs. Public Morality: Content creators often push boundaries in comedy, art, and media, but their work may conflict with societal norms and moral values. Example: A stand-up comedian making jokes about religious figures or sexual themes faces backlash from communities who find it offensive.
• Cultural Sensitivities and Perception: What is considered obscene varies across cultures, making content regulation complex. Example: Nudity in Western films may be viewed as artistic, whereas in India, it often faces censorship under decency laws.
• Impact on Vulnerable Audiences: Children and adolescents may be influenced by explicit content, shaping their attitudes toward relationships, gender roles, and social behaviour.Example: Music videos with sexually suggestive lyrics and visuals can promote unrealistic or unhealthy perceptions of relationships.
• Exploitation and Objectification: Media and advertisements sometimes use sexually provocative imagery, reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes.Example: Advertisements that use hypersexualized images of women to sell products contribute to the objectification of women.
• Accountability of Content Creators and Platforms: Digital platforms and influencers have a responsibility to regulate content while ensuring free speech is not misused. Example: A YouTube influencer posting explicit prank videos that go viral raises concerns about platform moderation and ethical responsibility.

What can be the Key Recommendations for Obscenity?

• Clear Legal Definitions and Guidelines: Laws should define “obscenity” more precisely to avoid subjective interpretations and misuse. Example: Updating Section 292 of the IPC to distinguish between artistic expression and truly obscene content.
• Stronger Content Moderation on Digital Platforms: Social media and streaming services should implement stricter policies to regulate obscene content. Example: YouTube and Instagram enforce AI-based content moderation to flag and remove explicit material.
• Public Awareness and Media Literacy: Educating audiences, especially minors, about responsible content consumption and the impact of obscene materials. Example: Schools include media literacy programs to help students critically analyze digital content.
• Balanced Regulation Without Censorship: Authorities should ensure that restrictions on obscenity do not infringe on creative freedom and free speech. Example: Allowing adult-rated films and stand-up comedy with proper disclaimers instead of outright bans.
• Stronger Accountability for Content Creators and Influencers: Creators should adhere to ethical guidelines and be held accountable for promoting obscene or harmful content. Example: Social media influencers issue public apologies and remove controversial videos after backlash.

Way forward: 

• Strengthening Regulatory Mechanisms: Implement a balanced framework that ensures accountability without suppressing creative freedom. Example: Establishing independent review bodies to assess content complaints objectively.
• Promoting Ethical Digital Responsibility: Encourage responsible content creation and consumption through self-regulation and industry guidelines.Example: Platforms introducing stricter age-restriction features and user awareness campaigns.

Mains PYQ:

Q State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. (150 words) (UPSC IAS/2016)

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