FDPPI today maintains the website of www.fdppi.in and www.dpji.in. The recently notified Digital Media Ethics code defines a digital publisher and suggests certain compliance measures which may be relevant to FDPPI activities.
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
Since our activity consists of what we call a “Journal” (Data Protection Journal of India), we publish videos on a regular basis (curated content) and also propose activities such as DPERT where news based analysis may be published, 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 organizations like FDPPI taking the lead in organizing a Self regulatory body of publishers (SRB) at Level II of which the digital publishers are to be members.
FDPPI 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
