OTTs Ignoring Govt Rules? Strict Action Soon?

The Union government is preparing a new broadcast policy to address concerns about Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms not following self-regulatory practices, as confirmed by L Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting.

The government has received complaints from both the public and the entertainment industry, pointing out that OTT platforms are not adhering to guidelines aimed at regulating content based on viewership age groups.

These guidelines, designed to ensure proper classification, help viewers understand if the content is suitable for certain age categories or if parental guidance is needed.

The minister explained that many platforms issue disclaimers, such as indicating the content is for viewers aged 18 and above or contains violence, followed by appropriate certification like “A” or “Parental Guidance.”

However, complaints have surfaced claiming that these self-regulatory systems are often disregarded.

In response to these concerns, the government is working on a revised broadcast policy to ensure better regulation of content on OTT platforms.

The proposed policy has been opened for public feedback, allowing stakeholders to provide their suggestions before the policy is finalized and presented in Parliament.