GS Paper 1
Topics covered: Communalism
Context: Observation made by Chief Justice of India (CJI) while adjudicating on a case relating to communalization of some sections of media in the country
- The petition before the SC drew the court’s attention on how some sections of media linked Tablighi Jamaat to the spread of Covid-19
- Such cases of communalized reporting are increasing in the country in recent times. Ex: UPSC Jihad, Hadiya case, Triple Talaq case etc
- The court also lamented about the lack of adequate accountability to hold social media and over the top content platforms for their actions
- The government highlighted the recent steps it had taken to ensure accountability in this regard. That is- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules of 2021.
About Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
- It mandates a grievance redressal system for over the top (OTT) and digital portals in the country. This is necessary for the users of social media to raise their grievance against the misuse of social media.
- Significant social media firms have to appoint a chief compliance officer and have a nodal contact person who can be in touch with law enforcement agencies 24/7.
- A grievance officer: Social media platforms will also have to name a grievance officer who shall register the grievance within 24 hours and dispose of it in 15 days.
- Removal of content: If there are complaints against the dignity of users, particularly women – about exposed private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc – social media platforms will be required to remove that within 24 hours after a complaint is made.
- A monthly report: They also will have to publish a monthly report about the number of complaints received and the status of redressal.
- There will be three levels of regulation for news publishers — self-regulation, a self-regulatory body, headed by a retired judge or an eminent person, and oversight from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, including codes of practices and a grievance committee.
About Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021
- It provides for a three-level grievance redressal mechanism — self-regulation by broadcasters, self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the broadcasters, and oversight by an Inter-Departmental Committee at the level of the Union government.
- Procedure for grievance redressal:
- A viewer can file a complaint directly to the broadcaster, who will have to respond within 15 days.
- If the complainant is not satisfied with the response, the complaint can be escalated to the self-regulating bodies set up by TV channels, which should deal with the case in 60 days.
- If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the self-regulating body, he may, within 15 days of such decision, prefer an appeal to the Central Government for its consideration under the Oversight Mechanism.
- Such appeals will be dealt with by the Inter-Departmental Committee set up under the Oversight Mechanism.
- The committee will be headed by the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and have members from various ministries.
Prelims link
- What is communalization?
- About Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules of 2021.
Mains link
- Measures taken to tackle communalization of media
Source: The Hindu
