Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 01 Mar 2023

News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority

The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has instructed some news channels to remove from their online platforms videos of certain programmes aired by them after it found them to be in violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards and Specific Guidelines.

The NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters. It describes itself as the collective voice of the news, current affairs and digital broadcasters in India. It is funded entirely by its members.

It aims to protect all its members from carrying out unfair and/or unethical practices or discredit television news broadcasters, digital news media and other related entities.

Read More: Ethical Code for Electronic Media

Grievance Appellate Committee Portal

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) portal under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, allowing people who are dissatisfied with complaints to social media companies on content takedown requests, to be heard by one of three Committees constituted by the government.

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were amended in 2022 to require social media companies to respect all the rights accorded to the citizens under the Constitution including in the articles 14, 19 and 21, indicating that platforms may now have to allow speech that is not allowed on their platforms but is legal to express in public.

In January 2023, the Union government notified the formation of three GACs that will address user complaints against social media and other internet-based platforms. These panels will also be empowered to oversee and revoke content moderation-related decisions taken by these platforms.

World NGO Day

Every year, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world celebrate World NGO Day on 27^th February. More than 89 nations across six continents mark International NGO Day. The theme of 2023 revolves around the role and influence of NGOs in advancing human rights and achieving sustainable development goals.

The day assumed its official status when 12-member countries of the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum on 17^th April 2010 formally recognised it. In 2012, the forum's Final Statement Resolution was adopted the day. Although the day was recognised officially in 2010, it was only in 2014, that for the first time, World NGO Day was observed by the United Nations.

NGOs are non-profit organisations that support the resolution of many humane concerns impacting people, animals, and communities. They offer assistance in areas including health, education, and jobs.

Siang Unying Festival

Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush attended the Siang Unying Festival - which is an important festival of the Adi community at Boleng, Arunachal Pradesh.

The festival of Unying is celebrated to honour the season of cultivation, the beginning of the Adi community’s new year, the arrival of spring seasons as well as to strengthen the bond among the community.

The Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is believed to have come from southern China in the 16th century. They are the Tibeto-Burman language-speaking population. They reside in the far north inhabiting East Siang and Lower Dibang Valley districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Adis are experts at making cane and bamboo items. Solung (harvesting festival where animal sacrifices and rituals are performed) and Aran (a hunting festival where all the male members of the family go for hunting) are also among the major festivals of the Adi tribes.

Read More: Rituals of Different Tribes