SC asks Centre to submit recent OTT regulations governing content on Netflix, Amazon

The Supreme Court (SC) directed the Centre to submit the regulations on Over The Top (OTT) platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime while stressing that there should be some screening of programs shown on such platforms, according to ANI.

The SC bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said some regulation is needed owing to the depiction of pornography on certain web shows and movies being telecasted on streaming services.

“We want to see the regulations as we are of the view that there should be some screening of these types of films/shows…What are they showing? They are showing pornography in some movies. There should be some regulations. Balance has to be maintained,” said Justice Bhushan according to ANI.

The development comes within a week of Union Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar proposing a self-regulatory mechanism for over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

The apex court on Thursday adjourned for March 5 an appeal of Amazon Prime’s India head of original content Aparna Purohit, against the Allahabad High Court order that denied anticipatory bail to her, in the ongoing investigation against the web series ‘Tandav’.

SC made the observation after Senior Advocate Mukul Rohtagi described the case filed against Purohit as “shocking”, adding, the Allahabad HC’s order was not based on the recently OTT regulations by the Centre. The streaming service had “unconditionally” apologised for its show ‘Tandav’ adding it already removed scenes found objectionable by viewers. Saif Ali Khan and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub-starrer political saga came under fire for a scene depicting a college theatrical programme which some said hurt “religious” sentiments leading to multiple FIRs.

SC asks Centre to submit OTT regulations governing content on Netflix, AmazonSC asks Centre to submit OTT regulations governing content on Netflix, Amazon | Photo Credit: PTIKEY HIGHLIGHTSI&B Ministry notified regulations governing digital services such as OTT last weekSC bench was hearing anticipatory bail plea filed Amazon Prime Video India head Aparna PurohitSC bench observed pornography shown on some web shows, movies on OTTs.

The Supreme Court (SC) directed the Centre to submit the regulations on Over The Top (OTT) platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime while stressing that there should be some screening of programs shown on such platforms, according to ANI.

The SC bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said some regulation is needed owing to the depiction of pornography on certain web shows and movies being telecasted on streaming services.

“We want to see the regulations as we are of the view that there should be some screening of these types of films/shows…What are they showing? They are showing pornography in some movies. There should be some regulations. Balance has to be maintained,” said Justice Bhushan according to ANI.

The development comes within a week of Union Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar proposing a self-regulatory mechanism for over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

The apex court on Thursday adjourned for March 5 an appeal of Amazon Prime’s India head of original content Aparna Purohit, against the Allahabad High Court order that denied anticipatory bail to her, in the ongoing investigation against the web series ‘Tandav’.

SC made the observation after Senior Advocate Mukul Rohtagi described the case filed against Purohit as “shocking”, adding, the Allahabad HC’s order was not based on the recently OTT regulations by the Centre. The streaming service had “unconditionally” apologised for its show ‘Tandav’ adding it already removed scenes found objectionable by viewers. Saif Ali Khan and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub-starrer political saga came under fire for a scene depicting a college theatrical programme which some said hurt “religious” sentiments leading to multiple FIRs.

“Amazon Prime Video again deeply regrets that viewers considered certain scenes to be objectionable in the recently launched fictional series ‘Tandav’. This was never our intention, and the scenes that were objected to were removed or edited when they were brought to our attention,” Amazon Prime said in a statement.

“We respect our viewers’ diverse beliefs and apologise unconditionally to anyone who felt hurt by these scenes. Our teams follow company content evaluation processes, which we acknowledge need to be constantly updated to better serve our audiences,” the company added.

Amazon said it will continue to develop entertaining content with partners while “complying with the laws of India and respecting the diversity of culture and beliefs of our audiences”. Timesnownews