Keypoints:
- The issue of self-regulation in digital media was taken up at the highest levels this month.
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to frame an overarching statute under which digital media can regulate itself.
- OTT platforms in India reach around 40 million customers and make up a market worth around Rs.3000 crore.
- This move aims at creating a level playing field in the business.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting decides to frame an overarching statue under which digital media can regulate itself. The Centre plans to draft and legislate an overarching statue which will be defining a framework for self regulation.There are at least 40 OTT platforms including global ones such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and HotStar (Disney Plus) and hundreds of news content websites.
The ministry is also worried that viewers upset with content on OTT platforms do not have a body they can appeal to — much like they do with TV companies. Officials have said that the ministry has received complaints about language and nudity.As for digital news websites, the officials said the ministry has received complaints about fake news, but again, is handicapped by the absence of a body that can take these up.
“The I&B ministry was conscious that the proposed legal regime should not curtail the freedom enjoyed by the sector and has been engaging with the Internet and Mobile Association of India for more than a year on self-regulation,” said another government official.
On Wednesday (13 January), the parliamentary standing committee on information technology held discussions regarding methods to regulate and impose reasonable restrictions on content on OTT platforms.In September 2020, leading domestic and international over the top (OTT) content providers operating in India have adopted an ombudsman based self-regulation model to address grievances of the users and viewers.
In total, 15 OCCPs have signed into the self-regulation pact. These include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Hotstar, Jio Cinema, Zee5, Viacom18, MX Player, Alt Balaji, Arre, Eros Now, HoiChoi, Hungama, Shemaroo, Discovery Plus and Flickstree.
