In the aftermath of the botched attempt to regulate journalists for Fake News, one aspect about the committee formed to create a framework for regulating online media, is that it isn't just about news: it's about all Internet content, including entertainment portals like Netflix, Amazon Prime, EROS Now, ALT Balaji, Vice and others; online news portals like scroll, the wire, swarajya, Opindia, timesofindia.com; News aggregators like Google News, DIGG etc; news/media aggregators like Reddit, and Twitter and Facebook The notification for the creation of the 10 member committee clearly mentions that it will create a framework for "online media/news portals including digital broadcasting and entertainment / infotainment sites and news / media aggregators". With billions of status updates each day, and millions of hours of video uploaded online each minute, it's not clear how this committee will regulate (police?) online content, or expect platforms to do it pro-actively. A few key points to consider: Covering all kinds of online content: In an interview with OpIndia's Nupur Sharma, I&B Minister Smriti Irani clarifies that these guidelines will cover all kinds of online content: "One has to be very very careful. Though there is a broadcasting code for TV Channels, though there is a code of ethics and the Press Council has an act which mandates all kinds of inquiries and regulations to the same, the Internet, from a broadcast and news perspective, does not have guidelines or policies. Because it is a grey area, that is why we have set up…
