Online news portals, OTT platforms now under I&B Ministry

There was no law or autonomous body governing digital content in country so far

NEW DELHI: The government has put OTT platforms such as Netflix as well as news and current affairs content on online platforms under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and given it powers to regulate policies and rules for the digital space.

There was no law or autonomous body governing digital content in India so far. Now, OTT and other platforms, including digital news websites, are expected to fall within a governmental framework of rules and regulations. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on Tuesday night and signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, the decision comes into effect immediately.

It was taken in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 77 of the Constitution by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, the notification said. With this, the Information and Broadcasting ministry has the power to regulate policies related to news, audiovisual content and films on online platforms. These include ‘over the top’ platforms Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+Hotstar as well as homegrown ones like SonyLIV, and digital news websites, including The Wire and Scroll often seen as being critical of the government.

Digital media is already regulated through the IT Act and other laws, albeit within the framework of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech, veteran media insiders pointed out. Though a cross-section of journalists, writers and directors in digital news platforms and those providing content for OTT services responded with dismay, there was little clarity on what kind of regulations the move would entail. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said he would give a detailed briefing on the matter on Thursday. He was asked about the move during the Cabinet briefing on Wednesday.