Media, content creators await standard regulations for OTT

NEW DELHI: Streaming platform executives and content creators in India hope that bringing digital news and OTT (over-the-top) services under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will not mean censorship of any form of creative expression.

Earlier this month, with a gazette notification signed by the President, the digital audio-visual content, including films and web shows on over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms, as well as news and current affairs on online platforms came under the purview of the ministry of information and broadcasting.

Speaking at Fast Track Digital, a knowledge series organised by Ficci, Tarun Katial, CEO at ZEE5 said “A lot of people are assuming this will mean regulation by the ministry but the MIB has always made public statements on how it believes in self-regulation by platforms.