India’s Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has clarified that none of the OTT (over-the-top) platforms will have to register with the govt and no government nominee will be present in the self-regulatory body.
The Ministry statement followed I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar’s interaction with representatives of OTT platforms.
During the interaction, Javadekar said the Ministry was open to any clarification or queries from the industry.
“The Minister said it merely requires them to disclose information and that there is no requirement of registration of any kind with the Ministry,” the statement said, adding that the Ministry would soon be releasing a form for the same.
Javadekar further said, “the rules focus on self classification of content instead of any form of censorship.”
The minister also said that the OTT industry will partner with the ministry towards making the experience on the platform better for audience.
“Had a fruitful meeting with representatives from OTT industry and explained the provisions of the OTT rules. All representatives have welcomed the new guidelines. The ministry and industry will partner together to make the OTT experience better for all audience,” Javadekar tweeted.
The government had on February 25 notified new rules and guidelines for OTT platforms and digitial news media, requiring them to make public their details and having a grievance redressal system in place.
