India’s move to regulate ‘bold’ content irks digital creators
India’s latest directive for all videostreaming platforms, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, to be regulated by the government, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with several content creators saying it is the “end of creative expression” on digital channels.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ( MIB) — which monitors and censors print and online media, and television, film and theater content — gave notice on Nov. 9 that it will now oversee over-the-top (OTT) or digital platforms as well. These were previously monitored by the Ministry of Technology.
“It’s the end of creative expression in the visual medium,” Tanuj Virwani, who starred in several web series such as “Inside Edge,” “Poison” and “Code M,” told Arab News. “There will be a dramatic change in the content and the freedom of creative expression on OTT platforms. It was like an open season on digital platforms with unlimited freedom to say and show what we want. That will end,” he said. Streaming platforms have had a good run in the past few years, especially since March when the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown led to the closure of cinema halls across the country. Viewers were switching to OTT platforms that did not have to conform to censorship rules imposed on traditional media — until now.
Officials at Netflix and Amazon, which boast 20 million and 10 million subscribers each, were not available for comment when contacted by Arab News.
However, the two platforms showcased some of the most controversial web series — such as “Mirzapur,” “Paatal
Lok,” “Sacred Games,” and “Leila” — pushing the envelope with their bold content, which addressed taboo and politically sensitive topics such as sex, nudity, homophobia, caste issues and Hindu nationalism. Virwani said that while the “unlimited freedom” on OTT platforms was “abused to some extent,” the ministry should not use it as the yardstick to measure all content.
“The ministry should look at every show on its own merits. There can’t be the same censorial yardsticks for all OTT shows. Often a certain amount of abusive language, nudity and drugs are pivotal to the story,” he said. Officials at the MIB refused to comment when contacted by Arab News on Monday. However, Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Union Council of Ministers, said that certain content on OTT platforms “played a pivotal part” in forcing the MIB to step into the digital domain.