The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said in response to an RTI Application to MediaNama that the registration of self-regulatory bodies for news organisations and streaming services is still under process. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, specifically Rule 12(3), requires that: The self-regulating body shall, after its constitution in accordance with sub-rule (2), register itself with the Ministry within a period of thirty days from the date of notification of these rules, and where a self-regulating body is constituted after such period, within thirty days from the date of its constitution: Provided that before grant of registration to the self-regulating body, the Ministry shall satisfy itself that the self-regulating body has been constituted in accordance with sub-rule (2) and has agreed to perform the functions laid down in sub-rules (4) and (5). — IT Rules The IT Rules were notified on February 25, meaning it has been more than three months, far exceeding the timeline set out originally for the registration of news and streaming self-regulation bodies. These bodies are required to accept appeals of complaints that are not resolved at levels below them. The longer duration being taken to process the registration reflects the complications of setting up these organisations and the concerns that the industry has voiced in the burdens that come with complying with the Rules' requirements. The Internet and Mobile Association of India has announced that it has set up the Digital Publishers Content Grievance Council (DPCGC), and has…
