[ad_1]
Initially, the Online Curated Content (OTT) Self-Regulatory Authority recommended punitive action on a platform based on IT rules (2021).
In an order issued last week, the Digital Publishers Content Complaint Council (DPCGC) — a self-regulatory registered body for OTT platforms, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice AK Sikri — “strongly objected” to content being streamed on an OTT platform called ULLU. , and ordered the removal of this content in 15 days.
It was about a complaint about the obscene nature of the content being broadcast on ULLU. The complainant, Satish Waghila, stated that some of the web series only contain obscenity and nudity, which is against the law of the land as well as the IT (Media Guidelines and Code of Digital Media Ethics) Rules 2021.
The Complainant initially raised the matter with the platform but was not satisfied with the action taken, as ordered by the DPCGC. In its response, the federation denied all allegations and insisted that the viewing was based on discretion, and also cited the “freedom of speech and expression” stipulated in the constitution.
The board, while scolding the platform, issued strong advice to either remove this web series entirely or make appropriate adjustments to the offending scenes to ensure they comply with IT rules. When contacted by The Indian Express, ULLU officials said they were reviewing the matter internally but would not be able to comment further.
The government recently noted that OTT platforms have a responsibility to ensure “they do not promote vulgarity and abuse disguised as creative expression.” Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said they take a serious view on the complaints regarding the increase of offensive and obscene content on OTT platforms. His remarks followed the Delhi High Court’s scathing remarks on a web series titled ‘College Romance’. The court said the content’s sexually explicit language could affect impressionable minds because it was so widely available. It urged the government to take steps to check language on such platforms.
[ad_2]
