Guidlines for OTT platforms to be issue soon, MIB Javdekar

The government will soon bring guidelines on Over the Top (OTT) platforms. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar on Sunday in New Delhi that we have received a lot of complaints against some serials available on OTT platforms. Films and serials released on OTT platforms and digital newspapers do not come under the purview of the Press Council Act, Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act or Censor Board. We will come up with some guidelines on it soon," he said while addressing media.

The Minister also announced that full occupancy will be allowed in cinema halls from February 1 while following all Covid-related protocols.The SoP said that the states and union territories may however consider proposing additional measures as per their field assessment. Exhibition of films has not been allowed in the containment zones. The SOPs have also asked Cinema Hall and multiplex operators in the country to conduct Thermal screening of visitors and staff at entry points and allow  only asymptomatic individuals inside the premises.

Content on OTT platforms has recently fuelled controversy, leading to public outcry and booking of makers of these programmes.he I&B ministry had received a number of complaints against Tandav for its depiction of Hindu Gods in the show. Three FIRs have been registered against the makers of the series in three different cities, these include Lucknow, Mumbai and Greater Noida. The show, a political drama, has been drawing flak on social media and is accused of hurting religious sentiments.

Earlier, on November 11, the Centre had issued a notification bringing online films, audio-visual programmes and online news and current affairs content under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on November 9 which has been signed by the President, the content made available by online providers such as Netflix, Amazon, Hotstar etc will also come under the ministry. With this, the I&B Ministry has the power to regulate policies related to news, audio, visual contents and films available on online platforms.