Adhere to code of ethics: DM Anantnag to unregistered online news portals - Greater Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 6: Acting on communiqué of Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag that there had been mushrooming of unregistered online news portals and social media pages, District Magistrate Anantnag Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid Wednesday asked unregistered news portals to adhere to Code of Ethics

The order has been issued Under Section 144 CrPC, 1973 regarding Unregistered online news portals and social media news portals.

“Whereas, the Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag, vide No CS/67/23165 dated December 12, 2023, has reported that there has been mushrooming of unregistered online news portals and social media pages reporting on news and current affairs,” reads of DM Anantnag. “Whereas, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag has further reported that these unregistered online news portals and social media news portals publish news and current affairs content without any verification and accountability.”

It reads further: “Whereas, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, vide No G SR 139 (E) dated February 25, 2021, has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.”

Whereas, the order says, these unregistered online news portals and social media news portals fall within the definition of publisher of news and current affairs content’ and ‘publisher of online-curated content as provided under sub clause (t) and (u) of Section 2 of the said notification.

“Whereas, as per Section 9(1) of Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021; the publisher of news and current affairs content’ and publisher of online curated content’ need to adhere to the Code of Ethics laid down in the Appendix to these rules,” it says.

“Now therefore, for the reasons stated in preceding paras, and in exercise of powers conferred upon me by virtue of Section 144 CrPC, 1973, I Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, (IAS) District Magistrate Anantnag do hereby order and require all unregistered online news portals and social media news portals and their owners and publishers, publishing news and current affairs content operating within and from the jurisdiction of district Anantnag to adhere the code of ethics laid down in the Appendix of Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021,” it said. “The order shall come into force with immediate effect and any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, and other relevant legal provisions.”