FILE PHOTO: Commuters watch videos on their mobile phones as they travel in a suburban train in Mumbai
In a move that will have a far-reaching impact, the Union government has brought Over The Top (OTT) platforms, or video streaming service providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others, under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Currently, there is no law or autonomous body governing digital content. In a gazette notification issued on Wednesday and signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, online films, digital news and current affairs content now come under the purview of the I&B Ministry headed by Prakash Javadekar.
This will give the government control over OTT platforms, which were unregulated till now.
From time to time, the government had indicated the necessity to monitor these platforms. In October 2019, the government had indicated that it will issue a “negative” list of don’ts for video streaming services like Netflix and Hotstar. It also wanted the platforms to come up with a self-regulatory body on the lines of the News Broadcasters’ Standard Authority.
Anticipating the government’s intervention, in January 2019, eight video streaming services had signed a self-regulatory code that laid down a set of guiding principles for content on these platforms.
The code adopted by the OTTs prohibited five types of content. This includes content that deliberately and maliciously disrespects the national emblem or national flag, any visual or story line that promotes child pornography, any content that “maliciously” intends to outrage religious sentiments, content that “deliberately and maliciously” promotes or encourages terrorism and, lastly, any content that has been banned for exhibition or distribution by law or court.
The government had refused to support this code.
At present, the Press Council of India regulates the print media, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) represents the news channels, the Advertising Standards Council of India regulates advertising, while the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) monitors films.
On Friday, April 26, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi retaliated against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his attack on the grand…
Climate change has not traditionally been seen as a health and human rights concern — but that may be changing…
Food loss after harvest has economic implications for the farmer and also impacts the environment due to loss of agricultural…
The global market for e-bikes is surging. These bicycles, usually equipped with pedals and an electric motor assist, are popular…
A new study that analysed consumption data in India found stark differences in the water, particulate matter and carbon footprints…
We’ve all heard about climate change’s effect on our planet — but do you know about the many ways it…
This website uses cookies.