Demands for regulating content on the OTT (over-the-top) platforms are rising every day. From ministers to lawyers to film critics to social activists, people from every walk of life, have demanded a regulatory body. However, the industry has raised objections against it.
On June 20, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry made the proposal to industry representatives in a meeting. The proposal was made on behalf of Members of Parliament, social groups and the public. The government suggested that OTT platforms have a ‘code of ethics’ not only for the national content but the international content as well.
In an exclusive report, Reuters reported, content on streaming platforms like Netflix (NFLX.O), Disney (DIS.N) and other streaming services should be independently reviewed for obscenity and violence before being shown online.
Following the discussions, the people from the industry objected to the suggestion and no conclusive decision was made. However, the government still asked them to think about it.
Over the past few months, there is rising protests against content on OTT platforms for being explicitly sexual and abusive. Some of these films and series are Sacred Games, Mirzapur, Four more shots, Gehraiyaan, Lust Stories, College Romance etc. The parents of youngsters and social activists are demanding action against the freedom of OTT platforms.
The public demonstration also took the shape of petitions and FIRs against the makers of the films. One such case was registered against the makers of the web series ‘Bombay Begums’ for featuring a minor girl in drug and sexual scenes. The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights taking cognizance of the matter initiated a probe, however, no action was taken against the perpetrators to date by the Mumbai police.
In April, Delhi High Court demanded enacting a law or necessary guidelines to regulate the content on OTT. The court stated the need for a regulatory body for OTT platforms is of utmost importance.
Other than the courts and the social activists, the IB Minister, Anurag Thakur in November this year said, Obscenity, ill-mannerisms and the use of abusive language on OTT platforms will not be tolerated “in the name of creativity”
“If we have to make any changes, we will consider it seriously. Because freedom was given for creativity, not for vulgarity or foul language. When that limit is crossed, abusive words and obscenity won’t be accepted in the name of creativity,” he added.
Thakur emphasised the need for a regulatory body for the OTT platforms.
Other than Thakur, the Information Commissioner at the Central Information Commission, Uday Mahurkar is also raising his voice and taking steps against the misuse of freedom by films or OTT platforms.
The advent of OTT in India date back to 2008 when Reliance Entertainment introduced India’s first OTT BigFlix, the platform was relaunched in 2017. Following this, there have been a series of OTT platforms from Ditto TV by Zee (2013), Hotstar with Disney (2015), Amazon and Netflix (2016), Sonly Live, Zee5 and many others. Right now India has as many as 40 OTT platforms.
Out of these 40 OTT platforms, those serving explicit sexual content and promoting abuse include Alt Balaji (owned by Ekta Kapoor), Ullu, PrimeFlix, KindiBox, Kuku and others. These platforms are promoting soft porn in the name of entertainment.
Content in India is filtered or reviewed as per the act of the government and a regulatory body called the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The guidelines for the review committee are listed in the Cinematograph Act 1952.
The board currently issues four certificates. Originally, there were two U (unrestricted public exhibition with family-friendly movies) and A (restricted to adult audiences but any kind of Nudity is not allowed). Two more certificates were added later, including U/A (unrestricted public exhibition, with parental guidance for children under 12) and S (restricted to specialised audiences, such as Doctors or Scientists).
The telecast on Television is regulated as per Cabel Television Networks Regulation Act 1995.
Over the past few months or since the release of the film ‘Pathaan’ starring Shahrukh Khan, there have been speculations and dissatisfaction against the role of CBFC. The committee certified many problematic films. The most recent of them is ‘Adipurush,’ a film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana.
As of now, no decision has been made in relation to the regulation of content on OTT platforms, however, with rage against Bollywood and content on these platforms, it is likely that we will have a regulatory body soon. The rising disconnect of the common people with Bollywood can also be attributed to their treatment of Hindu religious sentiments and portrayal of Hindu society.
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