OTT Guidelines: Netflix, Amazon Prime to have self-regulating body, says Prakash Javadekar (Video)

New Delhi: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Thursday said OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category.

Also, Government has set “classification rating” to describe content and advise discretion for viewers of films and serials shown on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+Hotstar.

There are at least 40 OTT platforms, including global ones such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and HotStar (Disney Plus), and hundreds of news content websites.

Takeaways from press conference

For OTT, there should be self-classification of content — 13+, 16+ and A categories. There has to be a mechanism of parental lock and ensuring compliance that children don’t see that: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

There will also be an oversight mechanism at the government level to deal with the case wherein immediate action is needed: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

In November, the Government of India had published a gazette notification bringing online films, audio-visual programmes and online news and current affairs content under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on November 9 which has been signed by the President, the content made available by online providers such as Netflix, Amazon, Hotstar etc will also come under the ministry.