NewsGate Press Network

By M S Mahesh

On Thursday the 8th of May 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting  (I&B) issued advisory to advisory to publishers of online curated content, OTT platforms, media streaming platforms, and intermediaries regarding the hosting of content having its origins in Pakistan.

According to advisory issued, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which lay down ‘Code of Ethics’, should be adhered and followed by publishers.

The ‘Code of Ethics’ mandate publishers to exercise caution while hosting the content which affects the sovereignty and integrity and threatens, endangers or jeopardises the security of India.

Also the content which is detrimental to India’s friendly relations with foreign countries and likely to incite violence or disturb the maintenance of public order.
Further, the advisory emphasised that intermediaries must also make reasonable efforts to ensure users do not share or upload any content threatening India’s unity, integrity, security, or sovereignty.

It further cited the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which led to the killing of several Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, it said “cross border linkages with Pakistan-based State and non-State actors.”