OTT platforms with other online platforms now come under the I&B ministry

In a major development the government of India has brought OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Hotstar+ along with audio-visual news and current affairs content on online platforms under one domain of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Till now there was no law or any government body to regulate the digital content in India.

The notification, signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, said the decision has been 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 and it will come into effect immediately.

With this rule the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has now power to regulate policies related to OTT platforms ,audio-visual news and current affairs content on online platforms.

“In the Government of India (Allocation of Business, 1961, in THE SECOND SCHEDULE, under the heading ‘MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SOOCHANA AUR PRASARAN MANTRALAYA)’ after entry 22, the following sub-heading and entries shall be inserted, namely:- VA. DIGITAL/ONLINE MEDIA. 22A. Films and Audio-Visual programmes made available by online content providers. 22B. News and current affairs content on online platforms,” it said. PTI

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