Govt releases draft rules to regulate online media

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday announced the broad framework that will govern online content, which includes allowing users to dispute action taken against them by social media intermediaries such as Facebook and setting up a threetier, self-regulatory framework for so-called over the top (OTT), or streaming, platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix.

“The rules establish a softtouch. self-regulatory architecture and a Code of Ethics and a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for news publishers and OTT Platforms and digital media,” minister for electronics and information technology (Meity) Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Prasad added that social media intermediaries are welcome to do business in India and while the government welcomes dissent, abuse of social media has to be curbed.

His colleague, minister of information and broadcasting (I&B) Prakash Javadekar, said a free press symbolises the spirit of democracy, but no one should be allowed to spread fake news.

He added that while legacy media was governed by Press Council of India rules, there has been no such regulation for online media, stressing the need for a level playing field.

Meity and the ministry of I&B have been working to come up with a comprehensive framework to regulate content on OTTS and social media intermediaries.

A Facebook spokesperson said: “We have always been clear as a company that we welcome regulations that set guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges on the Internet. Facebook is committed to people’s ability to freely and safely express themselves.”