Ethics Code for Social Media, Ott and Digital Media

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Description
In certain things, I am very regular- in being irregular. Otherwise, I am irregularly regular in writing. The time I saved from travelling on
professional work during Covid pandemic in 2020 has been utilised partly for introspection and partly for writing, this time giving a logical conclusion to each of the writings that I have commenced, unlike earlier. There has been a steady growth of mischief mongers on internet. "Catch me if you can" is the attitude. Added to this, there are certain service providers located outside India who are providing infrastructural and technological services to these mischief mongers, unconcerned about the potential damage caused to the society by the material posted by them on internet platform, whose access to public of all ages and locations, through various handheld devices, is increasing. Cybercrimes and cyber complaints are growing. The identity and the location of the originator of the objectionable material is not known and identifying them had become a big challenge for the authorities, leave alone apprehending and prosecuting the culprits. There has been a demand for, and a need, for a system to be put in place to regulate the unscrupulous elements posting obscene, objectionable, religiously and politically sensitive information, most of which is false, fabricated and mischief of persons who have no respect or regard for decency, morals, privacy and honour of individuals. A new era has begun. The prayers of the persons aggrieved by unscrupulous acts of trouble mongers, those deriving vicarious pleasure by harassing innocent girls and women by posting obscene material on internet and those who trigger volatility by posting religiously, politically and Nationally sensitive information and controversial comments and/or pictures, those who defame others with impunity, those who use intellectual property of others without any fear being caught, have been answered. Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021purports to regulate rogue users of Social Media.
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Contents
The Information Technology (Intermediary Guideline and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,
Part 1 : Preliminary
Part 2 : Due Diligence by Intermediaries and Grievance Redressal Mechanism
Part 3 : Code of Ethics and Procedure and Safeguards in Relation to Digital media
Appendix
Code of Ethics
Schedule
Parts
I . General Guidelines for Classification of Films and other Entertainment Programmes, including Web Based Serials
II. Issue related Guidelines
Commentary on The Information Technology (Intermediary Guideline and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
Annexures
1. Information Technology Act, 2000
2. Norms of Journalistic Conduct
A. Principles and Ethics
B. Guideline on Specific Issues
3. Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995
4. The Advertising Standards Council
5 to 18
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Author Details
G V S Jagannadha Rao, is a fourth-generation lawyer with more than 33 years of standing at the bar. He is a B. Sc (Honors) graduate
with Geology Majors, from Osmania University and obtained Law Degree from Andhra University. He began his career in 1988, in his
father's office, at the District Courts of Srikakulam and practiced for about 7 years, before moving to Hyderabad. During his stint at
Srikakulam, he handled trial and appellate work on Civil side. He is associated with Ramoji Group for the last 26 years. He practiced
and explored various fields of law, specializing, and gaining a rich experience for more than two decades in media and entertainment
industry and Intellectual Property. He is a self-schooled-Tech savvy, with a flair for technical issues in law.