New Delhi [India], August 7 : Complaints relating to the violation of the Code of Ethics are addressed under the provisions of the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism and complaints received by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) are forwarded to the concerned online curated content (OTT) platforms for resolution as per IT Rules, 2021, Centre told the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan shared the information with the Upper House of Parliament in a written reply to a question asked by Parliamentarian Haris Beeran.
He also said that the government notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 on February 25, 2021 under the IT Act, 2000 in order to put in place an institutional mechanism for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (OTT Platforms).
The MoS further said that Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).
He further said the Code of Ethics, inter alia, requires OTT platforms not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law, exercise due caution and discretion, and undertake classification of content on the basis of themes and messages; violence; nudity; sex; language; drug and substance abuse; and horror as described in the schedule to the Rules.
As per the MoS, Part II of the Schedule to the IT Rules, 2021 prescribes guidelines for the classification of content, including content involving 'Psychotropic substances, liquor, smoking and tobacco and Imitable behaviour'.
He also added that the government issued an advisory on November 26, 2024, to publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) on streaming content related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.