India has instructed Netflix, Disney, and other streaming providers that their content should be independently evaluated for obscenity and violence before being shown online.
The suggestion was presented to the streaming platforms during a meeting of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on June 20. The streaming companies, also known as OTT platforms, opposed and no resolution was reached.
The ministry “highlighted concerns regarding obscenity and vulgar content on OTT platforms. It was expressed by Members of Parliament, citizen groups, and the general public.
Netflix and Amazon have become hugely popular in India, which is set to grow into a $7 billion market for the sector by 2027, according to Media Partners Asia.
Top Bollywood stars feature in online material, some of which have faced criticism from lawmakers and the public for scenes deemed vulgar or offensive to religious sentiments.
Addressing Obscenity in the Rapidly Expanding Streaming Business
The discussions indicate increased monitoring of India’s rapidly expanding streaming business. The suggestion also comes two years after India mandated the establishment of self-regulatory groups to handle complaints regarding streaming content. According to industry executives, India’s streaming laws are among the most severe in the world.
Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said at an April event when the government committed to cooperation with Amazon to promote cinema and television, that streaming platforms should “not propagate vulgarity and abuse disguised as creative expression.”
Thakur has said complaints about obscene content were increasing. The government was willing to change regulations if need be to address the problem.
Indian officials also proposed at the meeting the formation of an expert panel. It will be to set age ratings, instead of platforms doing that themselves, one of the attendees said.
The platforms said they would ensure strong parental controls. “Special care would be taken in respect of the suitability of the international content”, the minutes showed.
Suhasini Maniratnam of the Digital Publisher Content Grievance Council, told the gathering pre-censorship could hurt the industry growth and cost jobs, and that given the high volume of content, “there is a need to specifically act” against obscene and vulgar content.
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