DNPA Code of Conduct

The Digital News Publishers Association has voluntarily created a Code of Ethics for its members. This Code aims to protect constitutional freedoms and ensure responsible digital publishing. It outlines high standards, ethics, and practices in digital news publishing while maintaining the independence of journalists and publishers. Here are the critical points of the Code:

• Compliance with Laws: Digital news websites must adhere to the laws of the land, including the Constitution of India, media-related laws, the IPC and CrPC provisions, and the Information Technology Act of 2000.
• Ethical Practices: They must follow accepted norms of journalistic ethics and maintain professional conduct.
• Accuracy, Transparency, & Fairness: Members should publish accurate and fair material, verify information before publication, and avoid defamation while adhering to laws and rules.
• Right of Reply: News reports should include comments or responses from the concerned party. If requested, an update should be done appropriately, with the update date mentioned in the news item.
• Correction and Deletion: If a news report contains false or inaccurate information, it should be edited or deleted upon request by the concerned party, with the correct information provided and verified.
• Respect Intellectual Property Rights
  • Respect the copyright of text, photographs, plans, diagrams, cartoons, etc. If you want to use copyrighted material, obtain prior permission and acknowledge moral and ownership rights upon publication.
  • If you need to pay a fee or royalty for permission, do so.
  • Do not use third parties trademarks and Service Marks without prior permission unless such use constitutes fair use.
  • If there is an intellectual property infringement, edit, delete, or take down the content as necessary upon receiving a request and obtaining the required documents.
• Be careful when reporting sensational matters and crimes. Preserve the presumption of innocence. Avoid commenting on evidence, witnesses, and the conduct of the accused and victim. Ensure that reporting is unbiased and based on facts.
• Take special care while reporting on sexual harassment in the workplace, child abuse, rape involving minors as accused or victims, matrimonial disputes, riots and communal clashes, divorce and custody cases, adoption matters, etc. - Follow Sections 67, 67A, and 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, where applicable, which provide penalties for publishing or transmitting obscene material, sexually explicit material, and material depicting children in sexually explicit acts in electronic form.
• Grievance Redressal Mechanism Members acting as intermediaries, as defined under the Information Technology Act of 2000, should follow the grievance redressal mechanism outlined therein. They should know the liabilities and safe harbour protections under Section 79 of the IT Act 2000. Moreover, they should adhere to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2011, including appointing a grievance officer whose contact details should be added to the website. They should act within 36 hours of receiving a complaint and redress it within one month.
• Training and Awareness Programs
  Conduct regular training and awareness programs for editorial staff regarding the relevant laws, including the Constitution of India and the various media-related laws such as The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, Copyright Act, Right to Information Act, relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and CrPC, civil and criminal defamation, IPR, Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act, provisions related to reporting on rape and molestation, workplace harassment, caste or gender-related crime, and domestic violence, among others.
  • Avoid mentioning names and details that could lead to identifying victims or perpetrators, especially if they are juveniles or involved in a workplace incident.
  • Refrain from publishing photographs of victims, residences, workplaces, etc.
  • Exercise caution when reporting communal or religious disputes/clashes. Verify facts thoroughly before publication and present such news items carefully, promoting communal harmony and peace.
  • Be cautious when reporting on Courts and judicial matters. Ensure accurate reporting of Court hearings, judicial issues, and legislative privileges. Cover the versions of the victim and accused without comments.
  • Show respect for privacy, especially for individuals not in the public eye.