News websites of legacy media companies should be exempted from the ambit of the three-tier regulatory framework announced as part of the IT rules, reputed media houses urged the Union Information & Broadcasting ministry.
In the video conference with the I&B minister Prakash Javadekar, the news providers under the ambit of Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) apprised the minister that being professionally-run organisations, there were series of processes in newsrooms to ensure only accurate information is disseminated.
The DNPA shared the concern on ensuring the flow of accurate information and apprised the government about compliance challenges that the new rules may bring.
It was put forth that with Television news already under National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) purview and the print organisations mandated to follow the Press Council of India (PCI) norms, there were ample checks and balances in their newsrooms.
Most of the content that is put out on websites is the same that is used for TV channels and newspapers, they pointed out.
Significantly, one of the aims behind the formation of the DNPA has been to provide the most credible news in all languages to the Indian audience and self-regulation.
Combating fake news is one of its prime goals.
Representatives of the India Today group, Dainik Bhaskar, TOI Digital, Eenadu, ABP, Malayala Manorama, NDTV, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, TOI and Lokmat attended the meeting.
The DNPA emphasised that there is convergence in newsrooms. Therefore, the content also is same.
They also mentioned about the internal mechanisms set up to address grievances.
The government had last month brought out the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 that lay new ground rules for news websites, OTT players and social media companies.
Javadekar gave an overview of the rules for digital news publishers. He said the publishers will be required to furnish only basic information in a simple form.
The minister also thanked the participants for expressing their views and said the government will take note of the suggestions.
He said the government will continue with this consultative process for overall growth of the media industry.
“In a follow up to meeting with OTT platforms, held an interaction with Digital News Publishers Association today. Discussed the new rules for digital media. They welcomed the new rules and offered few suggestions which I have noted,” Javadekar tweeted after the meeting.
“DNPA thanks the Minister for today’s constructive meet. DNPA made suggestions that preserve freedom of the press and emphasized that all its members are bound by - and follow – the regulations of Press Council of India and/or NBSA,” the news providers said in a tweet.