Government of India announces new guidelines for Social Media and OTT platforms
On Thursday, February 25, 2021, The Government of India has announced new guidelines for social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, Whatsapp. Many major changes have been announced by the government in the rules and regulations for social media and other digital OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In last 5-6 years, influence of social media has been increased. Earlier government was not much worried for social media. But at present, impact of social media has been increased on our society; many times fake news spreaded over social media resulting violence. Recently you must have heart/seen about redfort violence in January 26 and agenda against India over social media. At the same time there was clash between Twitter and government of India. There are many accounts on Twitter running agenda against India.. Government asked Twitter to block them, but company refused. Later, many accounts were blocked by Twitter. Therefore, government of India has decided that social media company has to follow proper rules and regulations to operate in India. New guidelines is called as "Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021". This might be biggest changes of ever. Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules 2011, will be superseded by this new rule 2021.
Now, let's understand the major points of new guidelines
- If there is any unlawful content, companies has to remove within specific time after order from court or notice from government agency.
- For sexual content, there will be separate category and within 24 hours, Intermediary shall remove offending content.
- It is mandatory for the company to track the identification of the originator of information; which is required only for the purpose of prevention, detection, investigation or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India.
- OTT platform like Amazon and Netflix which have large number of users have to appoint three employees (must be resident of India). They will deal with grievance redressal system. First is Chief Compliance Officer will be responsible for ensuring compliance with Act and rules. Second is nodal person of contact 24×7 coordination and Third is Grievance officer will be responsible for all functions mentioned under grievance redressal.
Over the Top (OTT) platforms and Digital Media
OTT refers to the media services that provides video streaming services like movies and web series through Internet instead of traditional TV network. Top 10 OTT platforms that are available in India are: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, Sony Liv, Zee5, Voot, AltBalaji, JioCinema, Youtube premium and MX Player.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said media is free to show videos but with responsible and reasonable restrictions. Government changed the rules for OTT platform and digital media that includes code of ethics and procedures. Code will be applicable for all kind of online news and OTT platforms. Rules and regulations which are applicable on print media, shall be applicable for all digital media.
All the rules of 'Norms of Journalistic Conduct of Press Council of India and Programme Code under the Cable Television Network Regulations Act will be applicable on all types of online digital media. To ensure the code of ethics, government will establish a three layered structure. First level will set up by entity itself. Company will appoint an officer to address the users grievances. Second level will be self regulating bodies of applicable entities and at third and final level there will be government itself. I&B ministry will setup interdepartmental committee to hear grievances.
These announcement are made by government. The policies are not implemented yet. Soon government will implement.
I hope you liked the information.
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