Digital news grievances jump sharply in 2024–25, MIB report flags rising scrutiny
Complaints against digital news publishers surge 338% year-on-year, while OTT platforms see an even steeper rise of 944% as awareness of grievance mechanisms grows
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Complaints and grievances against digital news publishers surged sharply in 2024–25, signalling heightened public scrutiny of online news content and greater awareness of formal redressal mechanisms, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s latest annual report.
The MIB’s 2024–25 report reveals that the ministry received 859 complaints related to digital news publishers, submitted either directly or through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). This marks a steep jump from the 196 grievances recorded in 2023–24.
On a year-on-year basis, complaints against digital news publishers rose by nearly 338%, representing one of the most pronounced increases since the Information Technology Rules, 2021 came into effect.
As outlined in the report, grievances received by the ministry are forwarded to the respective publishers for resolution. These complaints are processed through the three-tier grievance redressal framework, with self-regulatory bodies such as the Digital Publishers Content Grievance Council (DPCGC) under the Internet and Mobile Association of India, and the Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC), playing a central role.
The spike in complaints coincides with the rapid expansion of digital news consumption across platforms and languages, bringing a broader spectrum of content under public and regulatory attention. Industry observers suggest that growing user awareness about grievance mechanisms has also contributed significantly to the rise in reported complaints.
Meanwhile, grievances related to OTT platforms witnessed an even sharper increase during the same period. The annual report records 1,086 complaints linked to OTT platforms in 2024–25, compared to just 104 in the previous year reflecting a year-on-year surge of approximately 944%.
The ministry has reiterated that it does not adjudicate content disputes and that its role is limited to forwarding complaints to publishers or the appropriate self-regulatory bodies, in line with the IT Rules. These latest figures are expected to further fuel discussions around self-regulation, content accountability, and the evolving oversight framework governing India’s fast-growing digital media landscape.
