OTT guidelines: After the uproar over Amazon Prime’s web series ‘Tandava’ and ‘Mirzapur’, the demand was raised whether over the top content i.e. OTT platforms need to be regulated. Because right now OTT platforms are self-regulating, that is, they can serve content as they want. But the government has made it clear that it will not work now.
Guidelines ready for OTT platforms
Minister of Information and Broadcasting (Ministrer of Information and Broadcasting) Prakash Javadekar has told in Parliament that OTT will soon issue guidelines regarding platforms. Javadekar said that ‘We were getting many suggestions and complaints, guidelines and directions are almost ready, it will be implemented soon’.
The issue raised in the Rajya Sabha on OTT content
This issue was raised by the BJP MP Mahesh Poddar in the Rajya Sabha. He said that along with the facility of easily available internet in the country, many OTT platforms such as Netflix have grown rapidly. Theaters closed due to the Corona epidemic and lockdown. The penetration of the OTT platform has increased significantly with the closure of recreation equipment. He said, ‘At the same time it also left a wrong impact on the youth of our country, directly attacked our culture and beliefs.
‘OTT Porn and Slut Language Used’
BJP MP from Jharkhand Mahesh Poddar said that the language and content of the OTT platform clearly reflects sexual descrimination or gender discrimination. Obscene words about women are being used on such public channels. Obscene and slum language is being used on the OTT platform. In such a situation, it is important that the government immediately implements the Internet Regulation without delay.
40 OTT platforms will be affected
There are about 40 OTT platforms which will be impacted after the regulation comes for OTT platforms. This includes Netflix, Amazon Prime and HotStar (Disney Plus). According to the news published in The Economic Times, ‘Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has prepared its own self-regulation toolkit which contains many guidelines.’ According to IAMAI, verification will start from March-April so that the code can be fully implemented by August. ‘Let me tell you that in September 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refused to support the self regulatory model of the IAMAI OTT platform. . In November, the government issued a notification to the online content providers under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
