Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms under the purview of I&B ministry

The Centre has issued orders bringing the content of the OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and others, and digital news sites under the purview of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A notification was issued on November 9 declaring that the President has signed the order to include online films, digital news and current affairs content under the Ministry headed by Union minister Prakash Javadekar.

I&B Ministry sources told India Today, “This is simply bringing ‘content’ from under the purview of IT to I&B. OTT though is a new platform, where concern against content couldn’t be raised with government earlier, which will now be possible. I&B now will be the nodal ministry.”

The notification, that has been signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, said the decision has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 77 of the Constitution, by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and it will come into effect immediately.

Now, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has the power to regulate policies related to news, audio, visual contents and films available on the OTT platforms.

For the unversed, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry had earlier proposed bringing the content of OTT platforms under its purview. OTT platforms fall under the domain of the ministry of information and technology (IT).

Ministry of information and broadcasting secretary Amit Khare earlier told PTI, “OTT being a digital platform will fall under the purview of the ministry of IT but now we are proposing a decision that the content should fall within the purview of I&B ministry.”

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