List steps to be taken on regulating OTT content: SC to govt

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Center on a PIL filed by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha for regulating content on OTT platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime by an autonomous body.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde told Additional Solicitor General K.M. Natraj, representing the Center, said that merely saying the government is considering steps or contemplating steps on the issue would not be sufficient. The Chief Justice asked, “What is it you are doing, a legislation or what? File an affidavit on what do you propose to do?”

The Center’s counsel submitted the issue is under deliberation, and no steps have been finalized yet. The Chief Justice replied that the court couldn’t accept mere contemplation, as everybody contemplates. “Notice issued and tag the matter with pending matter,” said the Chief Justice.

In October last year, the top court had sought a response from the Centre on a PIL seeking establishment of a proper institution for the monitoring and management of content on different OTT/streaming and digital media platforms.

None of the OTT/streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Zee5, and Hotstar have signed the self-regulation provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting since February 2020, said the PIL.

Image courtesy of (File photo)

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