New IT rules: Self-regulating body must govern digital publishers and online distribution platforms
The self-regulating body must be an independent body constituted by such publishers or their association, said the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, a copy of which Moneycontrol reviewed.
February 25, 2021 / 02:13 PM IST
Publishers of online news and current affairs as well as platforms that distribute such content must observe and adhere to a code of ethics and be governed by a self-regulating body, said the new Information Technology rules issued by the government on February 25.
The self-regulating body must be an independent body constituted by such publishers or their association, said the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, a copy of which Moneycontrol reviewed.
"An applicable entity shall take into consideration India’s multi-racial and multi-religious context and exercise due caution and discretion when featuring the activities, beliefs, practices, or views of any racial or religious group," said the rules.
The ministry of electronics and information technology will "coordinate and facilitate adherence of code of ethics by applicable entities and self-regulating bodies", said the rules.
The rules has also detailed the code of ethics publishers and online publishers need to follow for online curated content.
"An applicable entity shall not transmit/publish/exhibit any content which is prohibited under any law for the time being in force, or has been prohibited by any court of competent jurisdiction," the rule says.
Any content that is being published should be looked at from the lens of sovereignty and integrity of India, endangers or jeoparadizes security of the State or anything that is detrimental to India's friendly relation to other countries.
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