'Freedom For Creativity, Not Obscenity': Govt Takes Tough Stance Against OTT Platforms, Mulls Rule Changes

The Central government has expressed its serious concern over the increasing use of abusive language and obscene content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

Speaking to journalists about the issue, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday (19 March) stated that "abusive language in the name of creativity will not be tolerated."

The minister also emphasised that the government had given OTT platforms the freedom for creativity, not obscenity. He added that if necessary, the government is willing to consider changes to the rules regarding this issue.

"The government is serious about the complaints of increasing abusive and obscene content on OTT platforms. If there is a need to make any changes in the rules regarding this, the ministry is willing to consider that," Thakur said, according to a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting release.

"These platforms were given freedom for creativity, not obscenity. Whatever necessary action needs to be taken on this, the government will not back down from it," he added.

According to Thakur, the current process for resolving complaints involves the producer resolving complaints at the first level, followed by the association level, where most complaints are resolved.

“The process so far is that the producer has to resolve the received complaints at the first level. 90 to 92 per cent of the complaints are resolved by them by making necessary changes. The next level of complaint resolution is at the level of their association, where most of the complaints are resolved," Thakur said.

The last level is the government level, where action is taken by the departmental committee according to existing rules, he added.

However, complaints regarding the use of abusive language and obscene content have been increasing in the last few days, and the government is taking it very seriously, the minister said.

"If there is a need to make a change we are willing to consider it seriously," Thakur added.