New Delhi 25 February (KNB): Amidst the growing concerns of transparency, accountability and rights of users related to social media, digital media and streaming services, Union Government today announced new rules.
Officials stated that the new rules empower ordinary users of social media, embodying a mechanism for redressal and timely resolution of their grievance.
“Rules about digital media and OTT focuses more on in house and self-regulation mechanism whereby a robust grievance redressal mechanism has been provided while upholding journalistic and creative freedom,” officials stated.
As per the officials, the proposed framework is progressive, liberal and contemporaneous and seeks to address peoples’ varied concerns while removing any misapprehension about curbing creativity and freedom of speech and expression.
Ministry of Electronics and IT, notified that these Rules are a fine blend of liberal touch with gentle self-regulatory framework.
“It works on the existing laws and statues of the country which are applicable to content whether online or offline,” officials stated, adding that in respect of news and current affairs, publishers are expected to follow the journalistic conduct of Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Network Act, which are already applicable to print and TV.
“Hence, only a level playing field has been proposed,” officials stated.
Moreover, guidelines related to social media is to be administered by Ministry of Electronics and IT.
Officials stated that the rules prescribe due diligence that must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries; ensure establishment of grievance redressal mechanism; ensure online safety, dignity of users, specially women users and removal of unlawful information.
Officials also stated that additional due diligence is to be followed by significant social media intermediary, which means to appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules; appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24×7 coordination with law enforcement agencies and also appoint a Grievance Officer. Moreover, it was also stated that all of the above mentioned should be residents in India.
“Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints as well as details of contents removed proactively by the significant social media intermediary,” officials added.
Furthermore, officials notified that digital Media Ethics Code relating to digital media and OTT platforms are to be administered by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Officials stated that the rules establish a soft-touch self-regulatory architecture and a Code of Ethics and three tier grievance redressal mechanism for news publishers and OTT Platforms and digital media.
“Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall formulate an oversight mechanism. It shall publish a charter for self-regulating bodies, including Codes of Practices. It shall establish an Inter-Departmental Committee for hearing grievances,” officials stated. (KNB)