India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has advised digital news publishers and OTT platforms to strictly adhere to provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules thereunder, flagging concerns over misleading visuals, coverage of anti-terror operations, depiction of violence, communal sensitivity and the use of AI-generated content.

In an advisory issued on November 2, the Ministry also called for stronger editorial scrutiny, responsible reporting and adequate training of personnel involved in content creation and digital publishing.

The Ministry said it had observed instances of non-compliance with the IT Act and its rules by digital news publishers and OTT platforms, and reiterated that all content published on these platforms must conform to the statutory provisions “in letter and spirit”.

On the use of visuals, the advisory cautioned against circulating old or unrelated videos and clippings as footage of recent events, warning that such practices could create false impressions and spread misinformation.

It advised publishers to time-stamp visuals with their original date, location and context, and mention the source and time-stamp when using material obtained from external sources, including social media.

Similar caution has been urged in coverage of natural disasters, major accidents and incidents, with publishers asked to report verified facts to avoid unnecessary panic.

On coverage of anti-terror operations, the Ministry discouraged live reporting and advised digital news publishers against disclosing tactical positions, deployment or movement of security personnel, access routes and other operational details that could compromise ongoing operations or endanger lives.

Publishers have been advised to rely on periodic briefings by authorised officers until an operation concludes.

Date- and time-stamped visuals have also been encouraged to prevent recorded footage from being misrepresented as live coverage.

The advisory also calls for due caution and editorial discretion in publishing violent, graphic or disturbing visuals, suggesting blurring or masking wherever warranted.

Coverage of crime and violence, it said, should be based on verified facts, while headlines, thumbnails and captions must not materially misrepresent events.

Publishers have also been asked to exercise sensitivity while dealing with content involving women and children.

The Ministry further advised OTT platforms and digital news publishers to use only authentic maps of India published by the Survey of India.

On communal harmony and debate programmes, the MIB asked platforms to exercise caution while depicting religious, linguistic and other communities, ensuring that quotations, visuals, translations and allegations are presented in their proper context.

It also stressed adherence to laws concerning incitement to violence and unlawful promotion of enmity.

Separately, it reiterated the statutory and Supreme Court-mandated safeguards on protecting the identity of sexual offence victims, including avoiding disclosure of direct or indirect identifying details such as photographs, family information and locality, except where permitted by law or a court order.

Flagging concerns over artificial intelligence, the Ministry advised digital news publishers to take reasonable steps to verify AI-generated or materially altered photographs, videos and audio recordings.

It also advised them to make appropriate disclosures when synthetic content is presented in connection with actual persons or events, and guard against misleading representations of authentic news footage or statements.

Intermediaries, meanwhile, have been asked to comply with their due diligence obligations under Section 79 of the IT Act and Part II of the IT Rules, 2021, with particular attention to provisions concerning synthetically generated information under Rules 3(3) and 4(1A).

The advisory also called on OTT platforms and digital news publishers to strengthen editorial and content-review mechanisms and conduct workshops, training programmes and sensitisation sessions to familiarise personnel with the IT Act, its rules and other applicable laws.