Centre Mulls Introducing Ethics Code For Digital Creators: Report

SUMMARY

The Centre might make it mandatory for creators to undertake age-based classification of their content and provide disclaimers about the content they upload

Earlier, the information and broadcasting ministry directed OTT streaming and social media platforms to adhere to the code of conduct prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021

This comes amid a row over comments made by content creator Ranveer Allahbadia on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show “India’s Got Latent”

Amid the ongoing fallout over “India’s Got Latent” show, the Centre is reportedly mulling introducing an ethics code for digital creators with more than 5 Mn followers.

According to a report by Informist Media, the government might make it mandatory for creators to undertake age-based classification of their content and provide disclaimers about the content they upload.

This comes amid a row over comments made by content creator Ranveer Allahbadia on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show “India’s Got Latent”.

The report comes a day after the information and broadcasting ministry (MIB) directed OTT streaming and social media platforms to adhere to the code of conduct prescribed under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Notably, the ministry also directed the OTT platforms to not transmit any content which is prohibited by law, undertake age-based classification of content and implement access control mechanisms for ‘A’ rated content so that children have no access to such content.

Moreover, the ministry stressed upon the creators to comply with the IT Act, the POCSO Act and the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which make publishing of obscene or pornographic content a punishable offence.

Earlier, a parliamentary panel reportedly also issued directions to the MIB to submit a “note” on amendments needed in existing laws to curb controversial content.

Further, political leaders across the board have slammed Allahbadia for making the comments. On top of this, law enforcement authorities in Mumbai and Guwahati have filed FIRs in connection with the case.

In some reprieve, the Supreme Court (SC) recently directed that no new FIRs should be filed against Allahbadia.

However, during the hearing, Justice Surya Kant observed, “You think you (Allahbadia) have got a license to speak all kinds of vulgarity? And you can exhibit your depraved mind anywhere and anytime?” He added that “the entire society will feel ashamed” of this “perversity”.