IT Rules, 2021 Mandate Classification for Liquor & Tobacco Content; 3-Tier Mechanism Redresses Code of Ethics Complaints

India, Aug. 7 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 on 25.02.2021 under IT Act, 2000 in order to put in place an institutional mechanism for publishers of news & current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (OTT Platforms).

Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).

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 i) Themes and message...