In an interesting turn of events, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has written to PM Modi, asking him to censor OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others.
What is the reason behind this request?
Bihar CM To PM Modi: Censor OTTs, Punish Them
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has written to PM Modi, asking him to censor all OTT apps in India.
This request has been made so that viewers are not able to see ‘inappropriate content’.
As per Bihar CM, there is no age restriction on the content being streamed online via OTT apps, and accessing such content is creating a social problem.
He said, “The streaming services are cheaper than Direct to Home (DTH) and cable services, a reason why it has become more popular among consumers. As there is less clarity on legal provisions binding on the content aired through streaming services, uncensored stuff is getting aired without much advertisements in such programmes,”
In the letter, he has asked the PM to bring all content (online, movies, TV, media) to be categorized under Cinematograph Act-1962, and if there are no legal provisions right now, they should be made.
Infact, he has asked the OTT players to be punished.
He said, “There is immediate need to categorise the production and airing of such inappropriate content through streaming services as an offence so that it could be checked. I urge the PM to look into the matter,”
Netflix, Amazon Prime & OTT Can Be Censored?
Since last one year, there has been tons of petitions and pleas filed in High Court and Supreme Court, seeking a ban and/or censorship of OTT content.
But last November, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Sanjay Dhotre made it clear that Govt cannot censor the content which is being streamed online, and there are no legal provisions as well.
In a reply, he said, “The government is committed to freedom of speech and expression and privacy of its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution of India.”
However, objectionable content being streamed can be asked to be removed.
Infact, in March this year, Govt of India gave OTTs 100 days to impose self-censorship for their content.
It would be interesting how PM Modi responds to CM Nitish Kumar’s call for censorship.
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