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OTT channels come under I&B Ministry
Why is it in news?
- The government has brought “Over the Top” (OTT) platforms or video streaming service providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime and others under the ambit of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Background:
- Currently, there is no law or autonomous body governing digital content.
- This will give the government control over the OTT platforms, which were unregulated till now.
- From time to time, the government had indicated the necessity to monitor these platforms.
- Self-Regulatory Guidelines:
- The government wanted the platforms to come up with a self-regulatory body on the lines of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority.
- Anticipating the government’s intervention in January 2019, eight video streaming services had signed a self-regulatory code that laid down a set of guiding principles for the content on these platforms.
- The code adopted by the OTTs in January last prohibited five types of content.
(1) Content which deliberately and maliciously disrespects the national emblem or national flag;
(2) Any visuals or story lines that promotes child pornography;
(3) Any content that “maliciously” intends to outrage religious sentiments;
(4) Content that “deliberately and maliciously” promotes or encourages terrorism;
(5) Any content that has been banned for exhibition or distribution by law or by a court.