New Delhi: Central Govt came up with an order that digital current affairs and online platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Hot Star will be under Regulations of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This fresh notification was released after a PIL was filed in Supreme Court by advocate Shashank Jha seeking regulations for online portals and digital contents such as OTT by an autonomous body.
Until now the films are monitored by Central Board of Film certification and Print media is guarded by Press Council of India with News Broadcasters Association (NBA) for TV Channels. But with cinema theatres unlikely to open anytime, OTT/Streaming and digital media platforms have given way for film makers to release their contents without getting clearance certificates from censor board, they should be an autonomous body, as per the plea by Supreme Court to the Central government.
As per the notification released by Central Govt, films and audio visual programmes made available by online content providers and news and current affairs content on online platforms shall be included in the Government of India (allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. Notification was signed by President Ramnath Kovind earlier today.
Now all content on OTT platform are brought under attention of Centre which comes into effective immediately. Up to now these platforms do not require any certifications from Central Govt as they don’t fall under Cinematography Act 1952.
