What is the story about?
In response to the increasing influence of OTT content and its impact on viewer engagement, a notice has been released concerning censorship on streaming
services. On December 17 (Wednesday), the Central Government clarified in the Lok Sabha that OTT content will not fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). However, it indicated that OTTs would be governed by the 2021 Information Technology Rules, requiring streaming platforms to self-classify their content based on age.
OTT platforms exempt from CBFC oversight
This clarification was provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, confirming that digital content is regulated independently according to the Code Of Ethics. The government stated that the authority of the CBFC does not apply to OTT platform content. The CBFC was created under the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and is responsible for certifying films for public viewing.
"The Code of Ethics mandates that OTT platforms refrain from distributing content that is illegal and implement age-based content classification in line with the guidelines set forth in the Rules," the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated.
Understanding the three-tier regulation
To ensure compliance and tackle content-related issues, a three-tier institutional framework has been established by the IT rules, aimed at maintaining content standards and addressing public complaints. In a written response in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan elaborated.
The first tier involves self-regulation by the content providers. This means that each OTT platform is required to adopt its own strategies to oversee and manage the content it broadcasts. The second tier consists of self-regulation by the publishers or their associations, which must address complaints that remain unresolved at the individual platform level.
The third tier introduces oversight from the central government's Inter-Departmental Committee. This level assists in resolving issues that have not been addressed in the earlier stages. This committee will include representatives from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Women and Child Development, Law and Justice, Home Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology, and External Affairs, among others.
India's Got Latent and its repercussions
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cautioned OTT platforms in February of this year against airing "content that is illegal." This warning followed the uproar that arose from sexually explicit remarks made during India's Got Latent.
