Government control on OTT, news portals

The government has moved to regulate content on video streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix besides online news portals, rejecting a code of self-regulation that 15 OTT platforms had signed in September.

The audiovisual content of over-the-top (OTT) apps, and news and currentaffairs content on online media have been brought under the ambit of the information and broadcasting ministry.

The decision has raised fears of “a licence raj on the Internet”.

It has also prompted calls for a “liberal approach” from the Centre, while some have expressed hope that fake news would now be weeded out.