Netflix, Amazon Prime Now Under I&B Ministry; People Aren't Happy
In a move that can have far-reaching consequences on the online content consumption habits of Indians, the government has brought them under government regulations. The notification, which was signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, was issued.
In a move that can have far-reaching consequences on the online content consumption habits of Indians, the government has brought them under government regulations.
The notification, which was signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, was issued on Monday.
AFP
As per the order, online content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and other OTT streaming services have been brought under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The move is said to be aimed at controlling digital media amid a rising demand by some to regulate the content.
AFP
In October, the apex court sought the Centre's response on a petition on the issue of regulating OTT platforms through an autonomous body. The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, I&B Ministry and Internet and Mobile Association of India.
The ministry had asked the court that it may start by appointing a committee of persons as amicus for laying down guidelines in reference to the regulation of hate speech in media.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar had said in 2019 that the Centre will not take any step that can curb freedom of media.
This however is likely to affect the kind of content that can be hosted by these platforms.
Many fear that OTT platforms that were not regulated till now by any government bodies will have to go through a process of censoring, which they feel will take away the uniqueness of the service.
Thinkstock
Though the platforms have claimed that they do self-regulate, several OTT services have come under fire for their content which some alleged were insulting particular religions or communities.
Censorship to follow. https://t.co/wiyYA5F1BL
¡ª Sreyashi Dey (@SreyashiDey) November 11, 2020
This is the worst thing to happen. All OTT platforms carry Ratings. Thereafter it is the discretion of the adult viewer to CHOOSE what to watch. Censorship means a lot of hard hitting content will now become invisible
¡ª Aninda Sardar (@anindasardar) November 11, 2020
Lets bid Goodbye to good content with striking stories and phenomenal actors. Saas - Bahu saga of OTT platforms begin with this notice. Sad! https://t.co/2dpvcMrREa
¡ª Kulwant Kohli ?? (@KulwantKohli3) November 11, 2020
Quite possibly the worst news for india, after the pandemic obv.
¡ª Hardik Kotecha (@Hrkhardik) November 11, 2020
The content coming out of OTT platforms will definitely not be the same anymore https://t.co/cWeXSbTez5
Indian Government launched a new surgical strike over pop culture. #OTTPlatform #webseries #Censorship2020 #censorship @NetflixIndia @PrimeVideoIN pic.twitter.com/u6DMtUIp7Z
¡ª Sonu S Pappachan (@SonuSPappachan) November 11, 2020
So, in a nutshell, Prakash Javadekar will decide what people will watch and not watch on OTT platforms?!
¡ª Wash hands. Wash at back also. (@AdvanceDexter) November 11, 2020
While the Press Council of India (PCI) looks after the print media, the television news channels come under News Broadcasters Association (NBA). The Advertising Standards Council of India is for regulating the content of the advertisements and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) monitors films.
It is not just OTT platforms that have been brought under the I&B Ministry. Online news portals have too been brought under it.
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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