OTT content to be censored? Govt drawing up broad guidelines for OTT censorship in India

In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate about whether or not OTT platforms should be subject to content censorship. Some argue that because OTT platforms are not subject to the same level of regulation as traditional media, such as television and film, there is a need for increased oversight to ensure that content is appropriate for all audiences.

OTT platforms refer to online streaming services that provide content over the internet, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar. These platforms have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the convenience and accessibility they offer to viewers.

However, the content on these platforms is not subject to the same level of regulation as traditional broadcast media, such as television and film. This has led to concerns about the potential for offensive or harmful content to be available to viewers, especially children.

According to various reports, the number of Over-the-top (OTT) viewers in India was estimated to be around 43 million in 2020 and is projected to reach 50 million by the end of 2023.

The increasing availability of high-speed internet and the proliferation of affordable smartphones in India have contributed to the growth of OTT platforms, which provide on-demand access to a wide range of video content. As the number of OTT viewers continues to rise, there is likely to be increased attention on the regulation of OTT content by the Indian government and other stakeholders.

The statement by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur indicates that the Indian government is taking a strong stance on the regulation of OTT platform content and may be considering further action to address concerns about obscenity and abuse. However, any specific actions taken by the government should be confirmed through reliable news sources.

“Abusing in the name of creativity will not be tolerated. Government is serious about complaints of increasing abusive and obscene content on OTT platforms. If there is a need to make any changes in the rules regarding this, the ministry will consider in that direction as well,” Anurag Thakur told the press in Nagpur.

“These platforms were given freedom for creativity, not obscenity or abusing. And when someone crosses a limit, then abusing, rudeness in the name of creativity cannot be accepted at all. Whatever necessary action needs to be taken on this, the government will not back down from it,” he added.

“After that the complaints are resolved at the level of their association, then most of the complaints are resolved there. When it comes to the level of the government, then strict action is taken at the level of the departmental committee, according to whatever rules are in place. But somewhere complaints have started increasing in the last few days and the department is taking it very seriously. We will think seriously if we have to make some changes on this,” the Minister added.

“Creativity should not be reined in, it should have autonomy. But it should not be too much that anything can be shown. We have kept adequate provisions and till date they are working fine,” Thakur said. He made the remark while participating in the 75th anniversary celebrations of ‘Panchajanya’ weekly, the RSS mouthpiece.

OTT content in courts

There have been several legal cases related to the content available on Over-the-top (OTT) platforms in India, highlighting the ongoing debate about whether or not these platforms should be subject to content censorship.

In 2020, the Supreme Court of India issued notice to the central government and several OTT platforms in response to a petition seeking regulation of their content. The court was asked to consider whether content on OTT platforms should be subject to the same level of regulation as traditional media, such as television and film.

In another case, the Delhi High Court asked the central government to consider the possibility of regulating content on OTT platforms, citing concerns about the presence of offensive or harmful content.

However, it is worth noting that while there have been legal cases related to the regulation of OTT content, the issue remains a complex one, and there is no clear consensus on how best to address concerns about the content available on these platforms. Any decisions made by the courts or the government regarding the regulation of OTT content will likely continue to be the subject of debate and discussion among various stakeholders in India.