Context: A recent report examining the future of news in India has recommended that the Competition Commission of India investigate the dominance of online advertising platforms. The report was prepared by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
Key suggestions in the report
Studying the role and practices of online advertising platforms systematically

• The advertisement-revenue model for digital news might be displaying indications of market failure. 
• To orient the market for digital news towards the public good, the role and practices of online advertising platforms must be systematically studied by a specialized authority.

Addressing misinformation

• The report has also favored the enactment of “light-touch measures” to address misinformation. 
• For achieving that, the report suggests a range of legislative, co-regulatory and voluntary measures, which provide an integrated framework to prevent the spread of misinformation and enhance reader literacy

Imposition of “appropriate responsibilities” on digital news entities

• The legal vacuum for digital news needs to be filled in a manner, which is sensitive to the nuances of online discourse. 
• The report, therefore, recommends granting limited powers to the Press Council of India
• This is to be in conjunction with a voluntary registration procedure and the development of a brief, accessible code of conduct as a mechanism for the imposition of editorial responsibility.

Appropriate Responsibilities on Digital News Entities

• The report calls to fill the legal vacuum for digital news in a manner which is sensitive to the nuances of online discourse.
• It recommends granting limited powers to the Press Council of India, in conjunction with a voluntary registration procedure and the development of a brief, accessible code of conduct as a mechanism for the imposition of editorial responsibility.
• The role of online platforms in the distribution of news should be addressed through targeted interventions based on the design aspects of such platforms.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• Competition Commission of India is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002 throughout India.
• They prevent activities that have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.
• The idea of Competition Commission was conceived and introduced in the form of The Competition Act, 2002.
• A need was felt to promote competition and private enterprise especially in the light of 1991 Indian economic liberalisation.

Composition 

• The Chairperson and every other Member shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing and who has special knowledge of, and such professional experience of not less than fifteen years in, international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs or competition matters, including competition law and policy, which in the opinion of the Central Government, may be useful to the Commission.
• The Chairperson and every other Member shall hold office as such for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall be eligible for re-appointment [Provided that the Chairperson or other Members shall not hold office as such after he has attained the age of sixty-five years]

Functions

• It is the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.
• The Commission is also required to give opinion on competition issues on a reference received from a statutory authority established under any law and to undertake competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.
• Competition Commission of India aims to establish a robust competitive environment through Proactive engagement with all stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government and international jurisdictions.
• Being acknowledge intensive organization with high competence level, Professionalism,transparency, resolve and wisdom in enforcement.
• The Act is extra-territorial and assumes jurisdiction over acts outside India that may affect a market within India. In the discharge of its functions, the CCI shall be guided by the principles of natural justice, and has the power to regulate its own procedures. Government replaced the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in 2017.