Anurag Thakur Bats For OTT Censorship Again, Announces 'Best Web Series' Award Category At IFFI
Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, introduced a brand-new category for the International Film Festival of India on Tuesday: the "Best Web Series" award.
Taking to Twitter, Thakur wrote, ¡°Delighted to announce the BEST WEB SERIES AWARD @IFFIGoa to be presented to an exceptional web series for its artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess and overall impact. India is filled with exceptional talent; I encourage you to tell the story of a rising and aspirational New India ¨C ready to lead the world, with a billion dreams and a billion untold stories.¡±
He said that the award ¡°will be given to an original web series on an OTT platform, originally shot and available in an Indian language.¡±
¡°The Award aims to incentivise and create investment opportunities in India¡¯s OTT sector, encourage content in Indian languages, recognise exceptional talent and foster growth & innovation of the OTT industry. Beginning this year at the 54th International Film Festival of India, the award will be presented annually,¡± Thakur added.
Anurag Thakur On OTT Censorship
According to Anurag Thakur, the government would not permit insulting Indian society and culture in the name of artistic freedom.
According to those present at the conference, Thakur made this statement while speaking with representatives of OTT platforms.
He said, "OTT players have a responsibility of ensuring that their platform does not propagate vulgarity and abuse camouflaged as 'creative expression'. India is a diverse country; OTTs must also reflect the collective conscience of the country and provide a healthy viewing experience for people of all age groups," Thakur said on Twitter.
?According to those who attended the conference, emphasis was placed on age-based classification, parental locks, and content descriptors to ensure appropriate access and viewing for various age groups during the discussion on the introduction of a Code of Ethics to increase content regulation.
The OTT platforms, according to them, were urged to examine the screenplays, spot any potential infractions, and promote family-friendly entertainment.
The Union minister is rumoured to have proposed the creation of a quasi-judicial body made up of industry experts and judges to ensure conclusive and impartial decision-making, relieve the burden on higher courts, and speed up the resolution of claims against OTT content.
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has opened submissions for Indian films, both in the feature and non-feature categories, to be shown at the IFFI as part of the Indian Panorama category.
(Inputs From ANI)
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