Print, TV platforms’ urge govt to keep them out of new ethics code purview

Information and broadcasting ministry notes request but remains non-committal

Representational image: Shutterstock

TT   |   New Delhi   |   12.03.21 : Digital news platforms linked to print and electronic media houses on Thursday urged the information and broadcasting ministry to keep them out of the purview of the new digital media ethics code.

They pointed out that they already come under the Press Council of India and the News Broadcasters Standards Authority (NBSA). The request was made during a videoconference with I&B minister Prakash Javadekar where the ministry noted the request but remained non-committal. 

Digital-only platforms such as The Wire, Scroll, The Quint, AltNews, The News Minute and Newslaundry — which many see as the main targets of the new ethics code — were not invited for the consultations, and there was no indication from the ministry of there being a separate such interface with them in the near future.

According to the ministry, Thursday’s meeting was attended by representatives of ABP, The Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, India Today, Eenadu and Lokmat, and they welcomed the new code while seeking exemption for themselves.

At the meeting, the minister briefed them about the new code, which included a three-tier grievance redress mechanism. While the first two tiers comprise people from the industry, the third tier provides a foothold to the government to step in through an oversight mechanism under the I&B ministry.

After the meeting, the Digital News Publishers Association — “a body comprising of top media companies of India” — tweeted: “DNPA thanks the Minister for today’s constructive meet. DNPA made suggestions that preserve freedom of the press and emphasised that all its members are bound by — and follow — the regulations of Press Council of India and/or NBSA.”

Jency Jacob of one such independent platform, Boom, tweeted in response to the DNPA’s tweet: “We have read the statement and it’s a shameful one. You asked for exemption while throwing standalone websites under the bus. Not sure why that was needed.”