About Us

The rapid advancement of science and technology has transformed the media landscape across the world. Along with traditional print and television media, digital media platforms, OTT services, online news portals, web TV channels, podcasts, and social media journalism have emerged as powerful mediums of communication and public engagement.

India has witnessed exponential growth in digital media consumption due to increasing internet penetration, affordable smartphones, and the Digital India initiative. Today, digital platforms are playing a vital role in news dissemination, entertainment, education, public awareness, governance communication, and citizen participation.

However, with the emergence of digital media and OTT platforms, there was a growing need for a structured institutional mechanism to ensure accountability, transparency, ethical journalism, and grievance redressal. While traditional media sectors such as print, television, and cinema already had regulatory or self-regulatory frameworks like the Press Council of India, programme codes, and certification boards, the digital media ecosystem lacked a similar structured mechanism.

To address these concerns, the Government of India introduced the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 under the guidance of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. These rules established a progressive and balanced framework for digital news publishers and OTT platforms while preserving freedom of expression and encouraging responsible content publishing.