Netflix, Hotstar, Prime Video, other digital platforms now under I&B ministry: What does it mean for these OTT platforms?

Team Udayavani, Nov 12, 2020, 1:06 PM IST

Government has decided to bring all digital media platforms, including news media and online curated content providers (OCCPs), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, AltBalaji and all OTTs will now come under the purview of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The new order also covers all digital content sources, which includes online news sites, videos and images being shared online.

The government notification read, “In the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, in the second schedule under the heading ‘Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’ after entry 22, the following sub-heading and entries shall be inserted, namely: Films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers; news and current affairs content on online platforms,” read the notification dated Tuesday, 9 November”

The move will impact the creative freedom that video streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Zee5 are enjoying. But experts believe think that it is a step in the right direction considering the objectionable content some of the OTT players are streaming online.

It also brings a new challenge before the OTT platforms as it has to keep a check on its content. They would have to apply for certification and approval of the content they wish to stream. This in itself could give rise to many conflicts as most OTT platforms have content that could otherwise be censored by the certification boards in India.