In a move that threatens to disrupt the world of digital entertainment as we know it, the government and the Information & Broadcasting Ministry has issued a time limit of 100 days to the top OTT platforms in the country to come up with a self-censorship code on the content they create and stream. In addition to self-censorship, the GoI also wants them to set up an adjudicatory body to which they will be answerable.
At a meeting held yesterday in Delhi, I&B minister Prakash Javadekar laid out the terms for OTT platforms to run their services, which is – they have to comply with the guidelines of the newly formed Digital Content Complaint Council (DCCC). Head honchos of all major OTT platforms were in attendance at the meeting, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ALTBalaji, ZEE5, MX Player, Voot, Jio, SonyLIV, Hotstar and Arre.
The ministry effectively wants streaming platforms to finalise a self-regulatory code that they will put into place over the content they stream.
Amazon Prime Video was vocal in its censure of self-regulation and censorship of any kind. It refused to sign up with the DCCC.
Four more OTT platforms declined to be a part of the DCCC. Netflix, ZEE5, MX Player and ALTBalaji asked for additional time to deliberate over the terms and get back to the I&B ministry. Hotstar, Voot, Jio, SonyLIV and Arre agreed to sign up with the DCCC, after getting reassurance from the government that it would not exercise censorship over the content streamed.
Watch this space at Binged.com for further information on the new self-regulation guidelines.
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