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The government on Thursday said a ‘code of ethics’ and three-tier grievance redressal mechanism would be applicable for OTT platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, news publishers and digital media.
Welcoming the government’s guidelines for OTT (over-the-top) platforms on Thursday, film personalities Ekta Kapoor, Priyadarshan and Vikram Bhatt said there cannot be creative freedom without responsibility, while producer Pritish Nandy said there was a need to tread carefully with the regulations, according to a PTI report.
Talking to indianbroadcastingworld.com, media industry veteran and a technical expert Col. Khare, however, had a word of caution for cable ops who, he said, were demanding OTT platforms be regulated without properly understanding how the new tech worked. “They (cable ops) were voicing the requirement for creation of a Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India without legislating Broadcasting Bill. They considered themselves as broadcasters while cable TV is not accorded a status of broadcast. The (new) guidelines have addressed video news coverage more than anything else as digital media. Cable operators did not understand that on OTT it is server based time deferred VoD delivered over the internet (as a telco service), charged for data volume by ISP/telco and subscription by OTT service provider.
“So, what is new for content, other than news for time deferred already broadcasted video content ? It is labelling for viewing as U, U/A 7+, 13+, 16+ and A. This is for applying parental control , which may not be possible on uni-directional CATV networks.”
Meanwhile, according to PTI, Kapoor, Bhatt, Priyadarshan-all prominent names in Bollywood as producers and directors — said the guidelines are a “great step” by the government.
Nandy and Onir had a different take, with the former saying that it was crucial for the government to not allow a “heavy hand” to fall on OTTs, while the latter criticizing the move.
The government on Thursday said a ”code of ethics” and three-tier grievance redressal mechanism would be applicable for OTT platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, news publishers and digital media.
Seeking to establish a soft-touch regulatory framework, the government said OTT platforms would have to self-classify the content into five age-based categories – U (Universal), U/A 7+ (years), U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult).
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said such platforms would be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher, and reliable age-verification mechanisms for content classified as ”A”.
Kapoor, a major Bollywood and TV producer who also runs OTT platform ALT Balaji, said the new regulations will provide a level-playing field.
“Heartening to see the new guidelines that provide a level playing field for digital news media and OTT platforms. #ResponsibleFreedom,” Kapoor tweeted.
Heartening to see the new guidelines that provide a level playing field for digital news media and OTT platforms. #ResponsibleFreedom
— Ekta Kapoor (@ektarkapoor) February 25, 2021
Nandy, who has backed the International Emmy-nominated Amazon Prime Video series Four More Shots Please, said while grievance redressal mechanisms are fine, they rely on “very careful and circumspect actions by the authorities in power”.
Bhatt, who has made web shows such as the 2017 horror Gehraiyaan and thriller franchise Twisted, said it is only fair to inform the audience about the kind of content they are about to watch.
“The government isn’t saying ”do not make this.” All they’re saying is, whatever you make, there should be enough information out there for the viewers to know what kind of shows they’re watching,” he told PTI.
It is not censorship but merely a guideline to put in place a redressal system, Bhatt said.
Heri Pheri director Priyadarshan tweeted the guidelines “respect the artistic freedom while providing an avenue for redressal of citizen grievances”.
Onir, known for films such as My Brother… Nikhil and I Am, criticised the guidelines for not favouring content creators.“The death of cinema and good content. Stab the artist and keep everyone happy. The worst that a democracy can do to an artist is this regulation of OTT,” he said.
CBFC chairperson and lyricist Prasoon Joshi said responsible and accountable mechanisms will only bring in “more quality and maturity in a commercial creative industry”.
“Measures taken for a level playing field and empowering consumers would provide clarity for content creators of emerging platforms,” Joshi tweeted.
Initiative by MIETY @MIB_India to balance business interest of digital,SM platform & empowering users provides clarity. In a commercial industry even a creatively commercial one-if the audiences’ share of wallet is asked for,their share of voice needs to be taken cognisance of.
— Prasoon Joshi (@prasoonjoshi_) February 25, 2021
Some industry insiders tweeted their support using the hashtag #ResponsibleFreedom, previously also shared by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Javadekar.
BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan also thanked the prime minister and said “#ResponsibleFreedom was the need of the hour.”
Director Nila Madhab Panda, known for films like I am Kalam and Kadvi Hawa, said digital media must be used responsibly.
“Freedom comes with responsibility, digital media can do a lot of good if used correctly, great decision by the government, @PrakashJavdekar Sir @rsprasad sir, also giving a forum for users grievances is the correct way ahead. #ResponsibleFreedom #OTTGuidelines,” Panda wrote on Twitter.
The streamers have been self-regulating their content as per Indian laws until recently but some of the shows have stirred controversy; most recently Amazon Prime Video’s show Tandav, which was accused of hurting religious sentiments.
