Imperfect markets

In recent months there has been increased discussion around regulating content online. Pakistan recently enforced its rules on removal and blocking of unlawful online content, giving the state regulator broad powers to restrict online content. Recently, India brought online news portals and entertainment content providers, such as Netflix, under its purview, while Sri Lanka has announced plans to formulate laws modelled on Singapore’s rules governing online digital content. In this episode of Himal podcasts, our senior assistant editor Raisa Wickrematunge interviews Dr. V Sridhar, Professor at the Centre for IT and Public Policy at the International Institute of Information Technology in Bangalore and author of 'Emerging ICT Policies and Regulations: Roadmap to Digital Economies' on whether regulation of online content is necessary and if so, when and how it should be introduced.