Grievance redressal system for OTTs: Centre’s new guidelines for digital media

Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday announced guidelines to regulate Over The Top (OTT) platforms and digital media websites, stating that freedom of media comes with some responsibility. He said a three-tier system needs to be put in place, including disclosure, grievance redressal, self regulation. He said the Centre was not mandating registration.

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Here are the new guidelines issued by the Centre:

• A 3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms and digital news media will be put in place.

• OTT platforms will have to disclose their details. 

• A grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals should be set up.

• OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category. 
• For OTT platforms, there should be self-classification of content, including 13+, 16+ and A categories. There has to be a mechanism of parental lock and ensuring compliance that children don’t see that.

The union minister said that the Centre wants all the guidelines followed by Print media to be followed by digital media.