The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed amendments to expand the scope of the Code of Ethics under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to intermediaries and user-generated news content.
The amendments, as per reports, have also proposed to strengthen Rule 14 by expanding the role of the Inter-Departmental Committee, enabling it to examine matters beyond complaints, including issues referred directly by the Ministry. Under the current Rules, the Committee has primarily dealt with complaints escalated through the regulatory structure, but the proposed change has allowed the government to initiate scrutiny of content without a formal grievance.
Part III of the IT Rules has contained the Code of Ethics for digital media, requiring publishers of news and current affairs content to follow norms of journalistic conduct and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, while ensuring content does not violate sovereignty, public order or decency.
By extending Part III to intermediaries and non-publisher users, the amendments have widened this framework. Platforms hosting news content could fall within these standards, and users posting news and current affairs content may also be covered. Such content could be subject to scrutiny and directions under the three-tier mechanism, including government oversight.
Part III of the IT Rules has laid down the Code of Ethics and a three-tier regulatory mechanism for digital media. A key proposal has clarified that these provisions will apply not only to publishers of news and current affairs content but also to platforms hosting such content and even news content uploaded by non-publisher users.
Under the existing framework, Part III has primarily applied to publishers engaged in the systematic business or professional dissemination of such content, while individual users and intermediaries hosting such content have not been directly regulated under this Part. The proposed clarification has marked a shift by extending the Code of Ethics and regulatory mechanism to platforms and users previously outside its scope.
The draft amendments have also revised Part II, which deals with intermediary due diligence, by introducing a provision requiring intermediaries to comply with all clarifications, advisories, directions, standard operating procedures and guidelines issued by the Ministry. This compliance has been linked to due diligence requirements under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.
Currently, intermediaries have been required to publish user policies, remove unlawful content upon notice and assist government agencies. The amendments have linked compliance with Ministry directions to due diligence and have clarified that data retention obligations will operate without prejudice to other applicable laws.
The government has described the amendments as clarificatory and procedural in nature, aimed at improving legal certainty and strengthening enforceability of its directions. However, the changes have indicated closer regulatory supervision of intermediary-hosted content, particularly in relation to news and current affairs.
The draft amendments have been released on March 30, 2026 for public consultation, with stakeholders invited to submit comments by April 14, 2026. Submissions will be treated confidentially.
