**Executive Summary**
This document outlines the Government's measures under the IT Rules, 2021 to ensure ethical digital media practices and safeguard children on OTT platforms. It highlights the code of ethics for publishers, the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism, and initiatives to support the creator economy. The release date of the article is December 12, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **OTT Platform Safeguards:**
* Requires publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) to adhere to a Code of Ethics.
* Prohibits the transmission of content that violates existing laws.
* Mandates age-based content classification into 5 categories based on general guidelines.
* Requires OTT platforms to implement adequate safeguards to restrict age-inappropriate content for children.
* **Code of Ethics for Publishers:**
* Publishers of news and current affairs must follow a Code of Ethics.
* Adherence to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, and Norms of Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978, is required.
* Publishers must avoid disseminating inaccurate, misleading, false, or half-truth content.
* **Grievance Redressal Mechanism:**
* Establishes a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism:
* Level-I: Publisher
* Level-II: Self-Regulating Body of publishers
* Level-III: Oversight Mechanism of Central Government
* Self-regulation provisions at Levels I and II are designed to ensure freedom of speech and expression.
* **Information Verification and Blocking:**
* Intermediaries (e.g., YouTube, Facebook) must prevent the spread of false, untrue, or misleading information.
* A Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau checks the authenticity of news related to the Central Government.
* The government can block websites, social media handles, and posts under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to protect sovereignty, integrity, defense, security, and public order.
* **Creator's Economy Initiatives:**
* Several initiatives support the creator economy, including WAVES 2025 and Create in India Challenges (CIC).
* CIC provides training to help creators convert regional skills into professional digital content.
* WAVES Bazaar is a national marketplace for Indian creators.
* WAVES OTT supports local content creators through a unified digital platform.
**Impact Analysis**
**OTT Platforms/Publishers**
* **Impact:**
* Subject to stricter content regulation and age-based classification.
* Required to implement safeguards to protect children from inappropriate content.
* Must adhere to the Code of Ethics and participate in the grievance redressal mechanism.
* **Action Required:**
* Implement age-based content classification and safeguards.
* Adhere to the Code of Ethics and address grievances.
**Children/Parents**
* **Impact:**
* Greater protection from age-inappropriate content on OTT platforms.
* Increased transparency and accountability from content providers.
* **Action Required:**
* Be aware of the available safeguards and utilize them to protect children.
**Content Creators**
* **Impact:**
* Opportunities to monetize and promote content through initiatives like WAVES Bazaar and WAVES OTT.
* Potential for increased exposure and recognition, particularly for regional and grassroots creators.
* **Action Required:**
* Participate in available initiatives and utilize platforms to showcase and monetize content.
**General Public**
* **Impact:**
* Increased protection from false and misleading information.
* Access to verified information via the Fact Check Unit.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize verified sources of information and report instances of misinformation.
Key Entities Referenced
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Rules under the Information Technology Act, 2000, that provide guidelines for digital media ethics, including a Code of Ethics for OTT platforms and a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
Information Technology Act, 2000: The act under which the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 are notified.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The ministry overseeing the implementation and administration of guidelines and regulations related to OTT platforms and digital media ethics.
Press Council Act, 1978: Act containing the Norms of Journalistic Conduct to which publishers must adhere.
Cable Television Networks Act, 1995: Act containing the Programme Code to which publishers must adhere.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government Mandates Strong Safeguards on
OTT Platforms to Protect Children from Age-
Inappropriate Content
Centre Highlights Measures Under IT Rules, 2021 to Ensure
Ethical Digital Media Practices
प्रव तथ: 12 DEC 2025 4:42PM by PIB Delhi
Freedom of speech is guaranteed under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. At the same time, the
Government is also cognisant of the growing risks posed by fake, false and misleading information on
digital platforms.
The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media
Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000, (dated 25th February, 2021).
Part-III of these Rules provide for a Code of Ethics for publishers of online curated content (OTT
platforms) which, inter alia, require the publishers not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law
for the time being in force.
The Code requires them to undertake age-based classification of content into 5 categories, based on
general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules.
The Code also provides that the OTT Platform will put in place adequate safeguards for restricting age-
inappropriate content for children.
The Rules, inter alia, provide for Code of Ethics to be followed by publishers of news & current affairs. It
includes adherence to the Programme Code laid down under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995,
and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978.
The Programme Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct, inter alia, require publishers not to disseminate
content that is inaccurate, misleading, false, or half-truths.
A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for adherence to the Code of Ethics is also provided under the
IT Rules as under:
a. Level-I- Publisher
b. Level-II- Self –Regulating Body of publishers, and
c. Level-III- Oversight Mechanism of Central Government
The provisions of self regulation at level-I and level-II prescribed in the rules ensure the spirit of freedom
of speech and expression of the press.Also, Part II of the IT Rules, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY), among other obligations, requires intermediaries such as YouTube and Facebook to prevent the
dissemination of information that is patently false, untrue, or misleading.
A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has been set up under Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting in November, 2019 to check fake news relating to the Central Government.
After verifying the authenticity of news from authorized sources in Ministries/ Departments of
Government of India, FCU posts correct information on its social media platforms.
Under the Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Government issues necessary orders
to block websites, social media handles and posts in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India,
defence of India, security of the State, and public order.
Creators’ Economy
Large number of initiatives have been undertaken to support the creator economy in our country.
Initiatives such as the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, Create in India
Challenges (CIC) and WAVES Bazaar have helped to increase local cultural representation in the digital
space.
CIC mobilised talent nationwide and provided industry-linked training to help creators convert regional
skills into professional digital content. Culturals at the WAVES 2025 provided grassroots performers with
a global platform, enhancing their visibility and livelihoods by showcasing local music and folk arts.
The WAVES Bazaar has also been launched as a national marketplace where Indian creators can directly
engage with global buyers, investors, and distributors, promoting India’s diverse regional content
internationally.
Through WAVES OTT, Prasar Bharati supports local content creators by offering a unified digital platform
to publish, promote, and monetise authentic regional content.
Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs,
responded in the Rajya Sabha to a question raised by Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu.
*****
Mahesh Kumar
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2203034) आगंतुक पटल : 1047
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