For the past few years, OTT censorship has been a hotly debated topic. Censorship has existed for centuries. Movies have always been subject to CBFC censorship, but since the introduction of OTT, many have said that because it is a censor-free medium, filmmakers are abusing it.
(Also Read:?'Polluting The Minds Of Youngsters', Ekta Kapoor's Web Series XXX Is Criticised By The Supreme Court)
The court criticised Ekta Kapoor's online series 'XXX' for its inappropriate content, sparking a debate over the difficulties surrounding OTT censorship.
As reported by Outlook, Nivedita Basu, head of content development and commercial alliances at the Atrangii OTT channel commented, "I think in India OTT did meet censorship. It is going to happen sooner or later considering I am heading an OTT content. I know that I have to stick to the norms and make sure that the content which is going on is viewable. A lot of people are feeling that after television why should OTT be even censored? There is no platform as such where you can express yourself vocally and openly. There should be censorship because you can’t just speak your mind entirely in whatever way. There should be a funnelling of putting things out there.”
Nivedita?Basu also produces and directs the web series 'Tandoor.'
According to Vaibhav Modi, Founder-Director of Victor Tango Entertainment, he said, "OTT is a medium of viewer’s customised choice. The viewer gets to decide when, where, what and how she consumes content. If the choice of how far is left to the creator and the consumer, that will be true democratisation of the content.”?
He further added, “Self-regulation at the creator’s end is an added filter that brings in control over measured usage of sensitive language, visuals and opinions. As a writer-producer, I pride myself in exercising that right like a responsibility.”
In the past ten years, OTT content platforms have become more and more popular. The truth about fictitious violence is that it does not make previously stable people desire to harm someone. Nothing will be safe from censorship if we start censoring material based on the actions of unstable people.
The biggest question is whether OTT censorship will limit the creative freedom of content providers by controlling OTT platforms. Will the moral oversight of such OTT strip the platform of its unique selling point?
(To?read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading?Indiatimes BINGE)