Qaiser Dar
New Delhi 11 November (KNB): The Government of India has issued an order bringing online mediums, including films and news content, under the ministry of information and broadcasting.
According to the amendment order signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers and news & current affairs content on online platforms, now comes under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to be inserted after entry 22 as 22a and 22b respectively, Under the Sub-heading ‘Digital/ Online Media’.
The move comes at a time when there is no law or autonomous body governing digital content or Over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
The development announced in a gazette notification, ensures that the Union ministry headed by Prakash Javadekar will now regulate digital content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar.
Pertinently, Last year, I&B minister had said that the government will not take any step that may curb media freedom. However he said that there should be some kind of regulation on the OTT platforms as there is for the print and electronic media. (KNB)
