New IT rules: What is going on on digital media? Regulating body will keep an eye, details of new rules

New IT Rules for Digital Publishers: Now self-regulating body on digital media will monitor what kind of news is being run on which platform. In fact, the government has issued new rules for digital platforms and social media, which will come into effect soon. According to the new rule, online nous and current affairs publishers or any such platform will have to follow a code of ethics. And self-regulating body will keep an eye on it. The government has issued these rules on 25 February.

What is in the new rule

According to the Information Technology Rules, 2021 (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code), the self-regulating body will be an independent body, to be created by similar publishers or their associations. This institution will take into account people of different races and different religions in India and will work with caution and discretion while highlighting the activities, beliefs, practices or ideas of any racial or religious group.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will work closely with such self-regulation bodies and ensure that the Code of Ethics is followed properly. Applicable entity or self-regulating body shall not transmit, publish or transmit any content which is objectionable under any law. Whatever material is being published, it has to be kept in mind the sovereignty and integrity of India.

New rules for social media

The government has notified new IT rules to control illegal or objectionable content on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. According to the new rule, the content will have to be removed from its platforms as soon as possible after the government’s order. According to the new information technology rules, the social platform will have to remove the content that the government will object to within more than 36 hours of the government’s order. Earlier this deadline was 72 hours.

New IT rules: Facebook and Twitter will have to remove content within 36 hours of government order

Strictness on OTT platforms

The government on Wednesday released new guidelines regarding Kentent on OTT platforms. Union Minister Prakesh Javadekar has said that OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. They are not making registration mandatory, asking for information. He said that the content for OTT has to be categorized itself – 13+, 16+ and A categories. He said that a parental lock will have to be arranged and ensure that children do not see it.

Strict on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, placing content in 13+, 16+ and A categories