The move comes after the NBDA decided to admit digital news media as members. NBDA members include some of the nation’s top-rated news channels, and they command more than 80% of news television viewership in India.
The NBDA has also stated that the NBDSA regulation covers digital news media, digital news platforms, OTT platforms, and digital publishers.
The regulation defines digital news media as digitised news content that can be transmitted over the internet or computer networks and includes content received, stored, transmitted, edited, or processed by a digital publisher.
Digital news platforms have been defined as platforms that facilitate the transmission of digitised news content over the internet or computer networks, including social networking sites or social media.
It defines OTT platforms as the ones that facilitate the transmission of any programme, feature, news item, newseport, or any other matter over the internet or computer networks on demand.The regulation states that digital publishers include a news portal, news aggregator, news agency, and any other entity engaged in the publishing of news and current affairs content on digital news platforms, OTT platforms, social networking sites, and social media.The NBDSA, which was founded almost 15 years ago, has evolved into the default redressal method and mechanism for viewers. It is headed by eminent former judges of the Supreme Court of India and by other renowned independent members.
The NBDA has also broadened the penalties that will be imposed on TV and digital news publishers for violations of the code of conduct.
Besides warnings, admonishments, censures, and apologies, the NBDSA may also impose fines up to Rs. 2 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakhs, and up to 1% of the channel’s annual turnover, provided the fine doesn’t exceed Rs. 25 lakhs, for each subsequent violation.
The NBDSA can also suspend a programme for up to one week or recommend suspension or revocation of a broadcaster’s license. It might also ask the broadcast to suspend an anchor for up to a month.
It may impose immediate removal or editing of broadcasts or publications from digital news platforms, social media, and social networking sites if they violate the regulations.
According to the NBDSA, the NBDSA may exercise suo motu power in cases where the public interest requires immediate remedial action to be taken or in other cases where the authority deems it fit to do so.
In emergency situations involving egregious or repetitive violations of the Code of Conduct by member broadcasters or digital publishers, the Authority has the power to issue interim directions without following procedures in the regulations.
In such emergency situations, an urgent meeting of the authority will be convened within 24 hours of such a violation of the code of conduct being brought to its attention.
After the passing of any such interim directions, the aggrieved broadcaster or digital publisher may approach the authority for redressal of its grievance immediately, the NBDA said.
If a suitable explanation is given by the broadcasters or digital publishers, the authority can set aside the interim directions and direct the programme or content to be restored, it added.
