The Government of India brings online streaming platforms, news and other entertainment content under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Following this, the Ministry will be allowed to regulate the content on over the top (OTT) platforms.
In recent times, there have been concerns raised by a sect that the content OTT platforms is abusive and obscene at times and is allowed to be streamed unrestrained. Also, there has also been growing concerns for the fake news.
However, as reported by a reputed news agency, some government sources said that the Ministry is not planning to censor and understands creative license considering the nature and format of the portals. “We have to also understand that Indians are sensitive and with schools closed, children spend time in front of television sets and use online enthusiastically. The earlier system of fixed time for adult content doesn’t work anymore. So we have to tune in to the sensitivity of the times and viewers also,” a source said.
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The change brought in for the regulation of the content on OTT platforms was through a Gazette notification dated November 9 by the Cabinet Secretariat. The change was made through the amendment of Allocation of Business Rules. The amendment resulted in bringing the ‘film and audio-visual’ content and ‘news and current affairs’ content under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for regulation.
