Key Points
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working on pre-release rules for OTT content.
- Right now, the rules mainly kick in after stuff gets released.
- The goal is to cut down on legal issues and help creators stick to the government’s guidelines.
- They’re talking to big players like Netflix and Amazon about this.
- Concerns over glorifying anti-India themes and explicit content are driving these changes.
Looma News
Looks like the Indian government is really stepping up its game on how OTT platforms are regulated. They’re coming up with new rules that’ll make creators think twice before they hit that “upload” button. This is a big deal since most rules before this were only enforced after stuff was already out, which led to a lot of legal messes.
Why the Change?
The idea is to make everything smoother, so there aren’t any messy edits or disputes after a show is launched. The government wants platforms and creators to make sure their content fits certain guidelines from the start. They’ve even started discussions with major streaming players like Netflix and Amazon to get their input.
Addressing Concerns
This shift is partly because of rising worries about content that might misrepresent Indian history or, even worse, glorify anti-India themes. A recent Netflix series about a hijacking in 1999 stirred some drama, and the government had to ask for cuts and disclaimers after some back-and-forth with them.
The Call for Action
Activist Uday Mahurkar is also pushing for action against explicit content on these platforms, citing its negative effects on society. He shared some eye-opening stats linking such material to rising crime rates and incidents of sexual violence. “If we don’t act now, things are only gonna get worse,” he warned, especially stressing the risks for minors exposed to this content.
In a nutshell, these new rules could really shake up the OTT scene in India, aiming for better storytelling while being mindful of their impact on society. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
