Code of Ethics for online news, OTT platforms, and digital media

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Amidst the growing concern regarding social media abuse, the Government of India has recently released the guidelines for over-the-top (OTT) and social media platforms. The guidelines have asked the technology platforms to be more accountable against the “misuse and abuse” disseminated online.
“Social media platforms have empowered many ordinary users but they need accountability against its misuse and abuse,” said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

As part of the new guidelines, the centre can ask the platforms to reveal the originator of a message. The all-new code of ethics announced by the government mandates intermediaries to exercise due caution and discretion when featuring the activities, beliefs, practices, or views of any racial or religious group.

Code of Ethics

To regulate the content available online the government has framed up a new set of rules, for intermediaries. This Code of Ethics to be followed by OTT platforms and online news and digital media entities.

(I) News and Current Affairs:

The document says publishers of news on digital media would be required to observe Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act 1978 and the Programme Code under section 5 of the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act thereby providing a level playing field between the offline (Print, TV) and digital media. The document further reads, content which is prohibited under any law for the time being in force shall not be transmitted.

Online Curated Content:

-The all new document released by the government asks an applicable entity to exercise due caution and discretion before publishing any content which affects the sovereignty and integrity of India and also content that threatens, endangers, or jeopardizes the security of the state. The applicable entity shall also refrain from publishing content that can harm India’s friendly relations with foreign countries.

-Based on the nature and type of content, the publishers of online curated content shall prominently display the classification rating. For example, online curated content which is suitable for children, as well as people of all ages, shall be classified as “U” rating. Similarly, the content which is suitable for a person aged 7 years and above must be classified as U/A 7+, U/A 13+ for persons aged 13 years and above. Online curated content which is restricted to adults shall be classified as an “A” rating.

-Platforms would be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher, and reliable age verification mechanisms for viewing content classified as “A”.

-Before publishing any content online the intermediary should inform the viewer about the nature of the content. And advise the viewer about the description at the beginning of every programme. This will enable the user to make an informed decision regarding the show.

-Implementation of appropriate access services of online curated content for persons with disabilities.

-Appropriate access control measures to restrict the access of a child from viewing content classified as “A”.

(III) Advertisements:

All advertisements in relation to online curated content, and news and current affairs content shall adhere to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Advertising Codes laid down under the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1995, and arid-Codes of the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI)

The new social media guidelines now released by the government will have a harmonious, soft-touch oversight mechanism in relation to social media platforms as well as digital media and OTT platforms. These set guidelines will also help the parents to manage young children’s media usage and protect them from getting exposed to explicit material available online.