Netflix, Prime Video And Other OTT Platforms Are Now Under I&B Ministry's Regulation

• Online OTT platforms Prime Video, Netflix, ALTBalaji, and others are now to be under regulation by the government.
• At present, there is no law or autonomous body regulating the OTT platforms in the country.

In a view to regulate the release of online content, The government of India has brought online OTT (over-the-top) platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ALTBalaji, and others, under the regulation of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Currently, there is no law or autonomous body regulating digital content in the country.

According to the new amendment order signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, the video, audio-visual programmes (available by online content providers), and news content platforms now come under the purview of the I&B Ministry.

The government move could also bring OTT platforms to apply for the certification and approval of the content they wish to release.

While other forms of content are to be regulated by the Press Council Of India (PCI), News Broadcasters Association (NBA), The Advertising Standards Council Of India, and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) headed by Prasoon Joshi. But at present, there is no law or autonomous body regulating OTT platforms.

Also Read: OTT Platforms Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, And 13 Other Adopts Self-Regulation Code: IAMAI

Earlier in October, I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar told that the government could regulate online streaming platforms.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Prakash Javadekar said, "I have called them twice to talk about a credible self-regulation method, but they have not come up with a proposal,"

Last month, The Supreme Court had sought the government response on a PIL for regulating OTT platforms by an autonomous body. The PIL stated that digital content on these platforms is made available to the public at large without any filter or screening.

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