Online News Media, social sites now under I&B Ministry

Nov. 11: In an important development, the Central Government issued an order bringing digital or online Media (such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotsar), films and audio-visual programmes, news and current affairs content under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The notification, signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, was issued on Monday. The government regulations also apply to news on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

A gazette notification issued by President Ram Nath Kovind on November 10 stated that “films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers” and “news and current affairs content on online platforms” would be brought under the heading “Ministry of Information and Broadcasting” in the Second Schedule of Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. Interestingly, even the “news and current affairs content on online platforms’, has been added after entry 22, which falls under the sub-category of “Films” and not “Press”.

People familiar with the matter expressed the view that once the draft Registration of Press and Periodicals (RPP) Bill is passed by the Parliament, news websites and newspapers would not need to file a separate request to the district magistrate but only apply online to the Press Registrar General, which shall seek the feedback from the district magistrate concerned, before approving the request. In its refurbished format, the proposed law would make it mandatory for news websites and online channels to register with the government.