Naavi.org to register as a Digital Publisher

Naavi.org  today maintains the website of www.naavi.org  in which current news and events related to the field of Cyber Law is regularly discussed. Naavi.org also provides a platform for publishing video content for FDPPI and also has recently opened the You Tube channel.

The recently notified Digital Media Ethics code defines a digital publisher and suggests certain compliance measures related to digital publishing activities which are relevant to Naavi.org

For the purpose of the rules

‘publisher’ means a publisher of news and current affairs content or a publisher of online curated content;

‘news and current affairs content’ includes newly received or noteworthy content, including analysis, especially about recent events primarily of socio-political, economic or cultural nature, made available over the internet or computer networks, and any digital media shall be news and current affairs content where the context, substance, purpose, import and meaning of such information is in the nature of news and current affairs content

‘digital media’ means digitized content that can be transmitted over the internet or computer networks and includes content received, stored, transmitted, edited or processed by… a publisher of news and current affairs content or a publisher of online curated content;

‘online curated content’ means any curated catalogue of audio-visual content, other than news and current affairs content, which is owned by, licensed to or contracted to be transmitted by a publisher of online curated content, and made available on demand, including but not limited through subscription, over the internet or computer networks, and includes films, audio visual programmes, documentaries, television programmes, serials, podcasts and other such content;

Part III of the guidelines published on February 25, 2021 is applicable for publishers of news and current affairs content;  and publishers of online curated content.

The compliance requirements include the following

(a) establish a grievance redressal mechanism and shall appoint a Grievance Officer based in India, who shall be responsible for the redressal of grievances received by him;
(b) display the contact details related to its grievance redressal mechanism and the name and contact details of its Grievance Officer at an appropriate place on its website or interface, as the case may be;
(c) ensure that the Grievance Officer takes a decision on every grievance received by it within fifteen days, and communicate the same to the complainant within the specified time:
(d) be a member of a self-regulating body as referred to in rule 12 and abide by its terms and conditions

There is a possibility that unless exempted, we do fall within the definition of the Digital publisher in the rules.

Yesterday, there was an interaction  with the Joint Secretary of MIB, Mr Vikram Sahay and discussed the need for supporting Micro digital publishers and small enterprises and the possibility of organizing a Self regulatory body of publishers (SRB) at Level II of which the digital publishers are to be members.

Naavi.org is taking further steps to remain in compliance of this requirement by registering as a Digital media publisher and thereafter catalyzing the setting up of a SRB-Level II to cater to the requirements of Micro and Small digital publishers.

Naavi

About Vijayashankar Na

Naavi is a veteran Cyber Law specialist in India and is presently working from Bangalore as an Information Assurance Consultant. Pioneered concepts such as ITA 2008 compliance, Naavi is also the founder of Cyber Law College, a virtual Cyber Law Education institution. He now has been focusing on the projects such as Secure Digital India and Cyber Insurance
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1 Response to Naavi.org to register as a Digital Publisher

  1. V Rajendran says:

    Good initiative. As Chairman of Digital Security Association of India (DiSAI), I feel, we in DiSAI come under this category and have to conform to these regulatory guidelines. Please keep posting the developments in your site. We will be part of your initiative, as may be required.

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