New Delhi: The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) has tightened its grip on the evolving media landscape with amendments to the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Regulations. These changes aim to ensure responsible reporting and empower the NBDA to act swiftly in case of serious violations.
Key Changes Introduced:
Clearer Definitions: The regulations now include clear definitions for terms like “Digital News Media,” “Digital News Platforms,” and “OTT Platforms,” ensuring consistency and clarity when applying the code of conduct.
Graded Penalties: A tiered penalty system has been implemented for code of conduct violations. Repeat offenders will face harsher punishments, including fines reaching up to 1% of a channel’s annual turnover or a maximum of Rs. 25 lakhs. Additionally, the NBDA can recommend license suspension or revocation in extreme cases.
Enhanced Authority Powers: The NBDA has been granted “suo motu” powers, allowing them to initiate proceedings and issue interim directions without waiting for a formal complaint. This empowers them to take immediate action in situations involving serious or repeated violations.
Emergency Powers: A new “Emergency Powers” provision allows the NBDA to address critical situations. In cases of egregious, continuous, or repetitive violations, the NBDA can convene an urgent meeting within 24 hours and issue interim directions, such as content removal, to broadcasters and digital platforms. However, the affected party can appeal this decision and potentially have the content restored if a suitable explanation is provided.
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These amendments are expected to promote responsible journalism and hold news broadcasters and digital platforms accountable for their content. The stricter penalties and NBDA’s enhanced authority should deter biased or misleading reporting. Additionally, the “Emergency Powers” provision aims to address critical situations swiftly, minimizing the spread of harmful content.
The NBDA Board has expressed its gratitude to Justice (Retd) A. K. Sikri, Justice (Retd) R. V. Raveendran, and Arvind P. Datar for their guidance in framing these amendments. The industry’s response to these changes remains to be seen, but it is likely to spark discussions on the balance between press freedom and responsible reporting in the digital age.
