Digital Media Ethics Code

  Information Technology          (intermediary guidelines and  digital media ethics code) Rules,2021

Issues: media is gradually losing its credibility and integrity where values and morality are being compromised. Violation of code of ethics by the media in form of paid news, fake news, TRP manipulation, media trials, sensationalism, and biased reporting. Healthy democracy thrives on participation of public, which is only possible through circulation of accurate information by responsible media. 

• Fake news by media like digital media, television, newspapers, cinema, OTT  etc. 
• Anti-national attitude

Rules for digital media companies: like

• WhatsApp 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• Twitter
• Amazon prime
• Flipkart 
• Youtube 
• Pinterest 
• Telegram etc. 

Warning for users: like

• Facebook users
• WhatsApp users
• Twitter users 
• Instagram users
• Amazon prime users etc. 

Purposes:  

1. To protect the sovereignty, integrity and fraternity of India.
2. To protect the women dignity. 
3. To stop abuses like rape, image  &  vedio  sharing, child sexual abuses.
4. To stop the violence, riots,  mob lynching, inflammatory posts, foment trouble etc.
5. To maintain the law and order situation.
6. To warn & control the social media users.
7. To help in investigations.
8. To stop cross-border terrorism.
9. To protect the privacy of users and government.
10. To stop the wrong messaging.
11. To reduce crime etc. 
12. To decrease corruption.

Provisions of guidelines/ rules for companies and serviceproviders: 

• Grievance redressal officer: All companies have to appoint Indians as Grievance redressal  officer, whose address and phone numbers are known to government.

• Grievance redressal period : Received Grievance must be addressed within 15 days.
• Monthly report: At the end of the month companies have to give a monthly report, to assure that the Grievances have been addressed.
• Compliance officer : Companies have to appoint a compliance officer to deal with the rure and regulations.
• Nodal contact: For a nodal contact there must be a nodal officer to contact the government zone wise. 
• Originator's information : Companies have to give information about the first originator of any message on asking by government.

Remember-

Information technology act (IT Act),2000

Section 69(A) of the IT Act allows the government to act against the social media posts and accounts, that may pose a threat to public order or India's sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of state, and friendly relations  with foreign states as a reasonable restriction over the fundamental rights conferred in the part third of the constitution of India.

Note: So, please don't create or make and spread or share any message that can harm to others; otherwise, it can harm the users and they may face charges or any other punishment. 

Note- 

1. IT Act section 66A : authorised police to arrest to punish  people for social media posts, construed " offensive" or "menacing" through imprisonment for a term of upto three years and a fine.
2. In 2015 Supreme Court said, Section 66A of IT Act is "unconstitutional and void" and directed the union government  subordinate courts to make sure cases are not registered under it and quashed the law by saying that " the public's right to know is directly affected by this section during plea hearing filed by NGO people union for civil liberties (PUCL) ON 24 April 2015.