Netflix, Amazon Prime Video And Other OTT Platforms To Be Now Regulated By I&B Ministry

As per the latest reports, OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar and others have now been brought under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. This means that the content provided by these platforms will now be regulated by the I&B Ministry. Earlier, there was no such regulatory body that regulated the content that is aired on OTT platforms. On November 9, 2020, President Ram Nath Kovind signed the notification to regulate the content on OTT platforms.

While there is the Press Council of India (PCI) to look after the print media and News Broadcasters Association to look after the news channels, CBFC for films, there was no body that looked after the content released by OTT platforms. Last month, reportedly, the Supreme Court had asked for Centre's response on a PIL filed against OTT platforms stating that the content is provided to a large audience without any screening.

As per a report in India TV, a notification on the same read, "films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers and news and current affairs content on online platforms shall be included in the 'India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961." Reportedly, in 2019, the Government had indicated that it will share a list of negative don't with OTT platforms such as Netflix and Hotstar. The platforms were also asked to come up with a self-regulatory body.

In the past, there have been many instances when there has been public outrage against the content aired on OTT platforms.