New Delhi, April 6: Information and Broadcasting (IB) Ministry will regulate online media and news portals. On April 3 IB ministry was forced to take back controversial order on fake news on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention, just few hours after it was issued . IB Minister Smriti Irani has set up a committee to discuss and to formulate policies aiming at regulating online media.

The circular to form a 10-member regulatory committee to regulate online media was published on April 4, a day after order on fake news was rolled back. The regulatory committee will comprise of secretaries of various ministries including Home, Law, Information and Technology and Electronics. Representatives from the Press Council of India, News Broadcasters' Association and the Indian Broadcasters Federation will also be part of this regulatory committee.

The circular emphasised the need to regulate online media. Press Council of India (PCI), an autonomous body regulates print media where as electronic media is regulated under Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995. As reported by Economic Times, An official said, that there was no online regulation, so the code of conduct that applies to print and TV media cannot be imposed on online news portals. The official also told Economic Times that IB ministry would focus on how certain messages were inciting protests and tension in border areas posing security threat to the nation.

According to ministry order, the guidlines for online media will be formed keeping in mind the existing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms. The government is also aiming to allow more FDI into this platform. The guidelines will only regulate news and infortainment, while other parts of digital platform will fall under the jurisdiction of IT ministry. The committee will also compare the guidelines for online portal in other countries to bring efficiency in the process.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 06, 2018 01:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).