No obscene content, please: Parliamentary panel tells Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar, Zee5, other OTT platforms

Members of a Parliamentary panel—Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication and Technology-- have told executives from OTT platforms including Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Sony LIV, Zee5 and Amazon Prime Video to respect cultural sensitivities of India. The panel further urged these platforms to refrain from showing obscene content on their platforms, The Economic Times reported citing sources.  

Top executives from these streaming companies deposed before the panel chaired by Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav. This panel also comprises veteran actor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shatrughan Sinha and other film personalities.  

Several MPs told OTT platforms to exercise restraint with regards to abusive language and obscenity on these platforms. Issues such as bringing OTT platforms under the ambit of Cinematograph Act and piracy were also reportedly up for discussion. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the issue of piracy needs to be dealt with stringently.  

The panel also sought details about the revenue generated by these platforms from India and what amount was invested back into the country. OTT platforms are soon expected to give written replies to the panel on these questions.  

Last week, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry Secretary Apurva Chandra said at the FICCI Frames 2023: “We came up with the self-regulation mechanism in 2021 and I believe that OTTs are quite happy with that and the system is functioning well”.  

The I&B Secretary, however, said self-regulation needs to be exercised properly given complaints regarding the quality of the content and/or the language used on these platforms. “We would like this sector to grow fast and not to get bogged down by regulations,” he further stated.  

The developments come almost a month after media reports suggesting that the parliamentary panel might summon top executives from OTT platforms did the rounds. Members of the panel expressed concerns over the content available on these platforms. During this meeting, BJP MPs sought more control over OTT platforms due to the “vulgarity” shown on these platforms. As per them, this impacts Indian culture.  

The ruling MPs said they are not in favour of censorship like that of movies but they believe there certainly is a case for strong regulation. Opposition MPs, on the other hand, stated OTTs are open platforms while adding there should be a reasoned view for more control.  

Responding to the queries by the MPs, I&B ministry officials said there are three levels of addressing any grievances of OTT users. First one is at the publisher level, followed by the self-regulatory mechanism of the OTT platforms, and finally the central government.  

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