Digital News Association
Ethical Digital Journalism
India's Premier Digital Journalism Network

Empowering Digital Journalism Across India

The Digital News Association connects journalists, reporters and digital media professionals nationwide - providing resources, mentorship and a self-regulatory voice rooted in the values of a free and responsible Indian press.

Become a Member About the SRB
Pan-India Network Guided by IT Rules 2021 Ethical & Independent
A Voice

Giving every digital journalist a platform and a say.

Mobile-First Media

News built for the way India reads today - on the phone.

A Digital News World

Connecting portals into one credible, accountable network.

21+
Member Portals
2024
Established
365
Days Support
3
Tier Redressal
What We Offer

Our Special Features

Everything you need to grow as a digital journalist and media professional in India's evolving news landscape.

01
Education Services

Elevate your skills with specialized workshops and immersive training programs tailored for digital journalists.

02
Online / Offline Classes

Flexible learning - access both online and in-person classes to fit your schedule and learning style.

03
Expert Mentors

Get guidance from seasoned industry professionals who help you navigate and grow in digital media.

04
Lifetime Support

Ongoing support throughout your career journey - we stay with you long after the first handshake.

Our Mandate

About the Self-Regulatory Body

Under the IT Rules 2021, digital news publishers organise into independent Self-Regulatory Bodies (SRBs). The Digital News Association is one such body - the second tier that keeps the press accountable to its own code of ethics.

What is a Self-Regulatory Body?

A Self-Regulatory Body (SRB) is an independent, industry-led organisation of digital news publishers. It is the second tier of the three-tier grievance mechanism prescribed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

When a complaint is not resolved by a publisher at Tier 1, the SRB hears the appeal. It ensures every member observes the Code of Ethics - accuracy, fairness, privacy and dignity - and issues guidance, advisories and, where needed, warnings or corrections.

As an SRB, the Digital News Association represents its member portals before the Ministry, defends responsible journalism, and shields ethical publishers from arbitrary action.

Independent & Industry-Led

Run by the publishing community itself, not the government.

Upholds the Code of Ethics

Oversees journalistic conduct across all member portals.

Voice Before the Ministry

Represents members in the Tier-3 oversight process.

Functions of the SRB

What the Digital News Association does for its members
1
Oversee the Code of Ethics

Ensure member publishers adhere to journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness.

2
Hear & Decide Appeals

Address grievances escalated from a publisher's grievance officer at Tier 1.

3
Issue Guidance & Advisories

Provide guidelines, warnings, censure or directions to correct or remove content.

4
Register & Support Members

Onboard digital news portals and back them with training and recognition.

5
Liaise with the Government

Refer unresolved matters to the Tier-3 oversight mechanism of the Ministry.

How a Complaint Moves Through the SRB

1
Complaint Filed

A reader raises a grievance with the publisher's grievance officer.

2
Escalation to SRB

If unresolved in 15 days, the matter is appealed to the SRB - the DNA.

3
SRB Review

The SRB examines the case against the Code of Ethics and issues guidance.

4
Oversight

Any remaining grievance moves to the Ministry's Tier-3 oversight body.

Why it matters: Self-regulation keeps the press free and accountable at the same time. By joining the DNA's SRB framework, member portals gain credibility, structured grievance handling, and a collective voice - without surrendering editorial independence.

Why Join Us

Why Join the Digital News Association

Membership is more than a badge - it gives your digital news portal credibility, protection and a collective voice in India's evolving media landscape.

Credibility & Recognition

Stand out as a recognised member of a pan-India network of trusted digital news portals.

Aligned with IT Rules 2021

Operate within a proper self-regulatory framework built around the Digital Media Ethics Code.

Training & Workshops

Access exclusive online and offline workshops, courses and skill-building for digital journalists.

Press Credentials

Earn recognition and press identity that helps you report with confidence on the ground.

SRB Grievance Protection

Benefit from structured, three-tier grievance handling that shields ethical publishers.

A Collective Voice

Be represented before authorities and the Ministry - stronger together than alone.

Our Team

Board of Directors

The leaders guiding the Digital News Association's mission to empower journalism across India.

Justice Aravind S Pachhapure
President

Justice Aravind S Pachhapure

Leading the Digital News Association's commitment to a free, ethical and empowered Indian press.

Ratnakar Goundi
Ratnakar Goundi
Vice-President
Iqbal Jakati
Iqbal Jakati
Spokesperson
Krishna Shinde
Krishna Shinde
Secretary
Deepak Sutar
Deepak Sutar
Co-ordinator
Mahadev Pawar
Mahadev Pawar
Working Committee Head
Prasad Kambar
Prasad Kambar
Working Committee
Know Your Rights & Responsibilities

Digital Media Ethics & Regulation

Every digital news publisher in India operates under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Understanding them protects you, your readers, and your credibility.

Code of Ethics

Publishers of news and current affairs must observe journalistic conduct, accuracy, fairness, privacy and dignity.

Who It Applies To

Digital news portals, online news aggregators, and online curated content platforms publishing in India.

Grievance Officer

Publishers must appoint a grievance officer in India, publish contact details, acknowledge complaints and resolve them on time.

The Three-Tier Grievance Redressal Mechanism

Tier 1
Self-Regulation by the Publisher

The publisher's grievance officer receives and disposes of complaints within the prescribed time.

Tier 2
Self-Regulatory Body (SRB)

An independent registered body - like the DNA - hears appeals and oversees the Code of Ethics.

Tier 3
Oversight by the Government

The Ministry oversight mechanism acts as the final stage for unresolved grievances.

Official Source - Ministry of Information & BroadcastingInformation is summarised for educational purposes. Always refer to the Ministry for the authoritative text.
Visit MIB Digital Media
Rules to Join

Rules & Eligibility to Join DNA

Membership is open to genuine digital news portals and working journalists who commit to ethical, lawful and responsible journalism. To join the Digital News Association, you should meet the following criteria:

Run or represent a genuine digital news portal, or be a working journalist / reporter.
Publish original, lawful and responsible news content.
Agree to abide by the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules 2021.
Appoint, or be willing to appoint, a grievance officer for your portal.
Provide valid identity proof and verifiable portal / website details.
No history of fake, defamatory or unlawful publishing.
1
Apply

Fill the membership form alongside.

2
Verification

Our team reviews your details.

3
Welcome

Get approved and onboarded.

Membership Application

Takes about 2 minutes - 100% secure