Government Tightens Grip on OTT: Drug-Related Scenes Under Scrutiny

New Delhi, 20th December 2024: In a bid to curb the unrestricted flow of controversial content on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, the Central Government has issued new guidelines aimed at regulating the portrayal of drug-related scenes in web series and films. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has warned platforms against inadvertently promoting or glorifying drug use without proper disclaimers or warnings, citing its adverse effects on the audience, particularly the youth.

With OTT platforms emerging as the primary source of entertainment for millions, the advisory from the ministry points to the need to adhere to a code of conduct that would help responsible dissemination of content. “Scenes promoting intoxicants without adequate warnings can have a very bad effect,” the ministry stated while urging the platforms to voluntarily align their content with the guidelines.

It clearly mentions that in case of non-compliance, it may invite investigations by regulatory bodies under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Furthermore, the government has been reminding platforms that content banned by law or through court orders cannot be telecasted or published.

Interestingly, OTT content operates without the scrutiny of a censor board at the moment. This lack of direct oversight has often led to bold, unregulated, and at times, controversy-ridden themes being portrayed. As audiences have always celebrated creative liberties on the OTT platforms, it is only natural that such a move by the government would reflect a growing concern regarding the possible societal impact that such unregulated content might make.

According to experts in the industry, this advisory can be the forerunner to even more stringent regulation in the future with self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms being charged with the responsibility of implementing this. Critics, however, argue that excessive regulation can kill creativity and induce self-censorship on the part of filmmakers.

For now, it seems the government has used its judgment by asking players to exercise responsibility without curtailing it to outright censorship. It may open up a wide discourse on the creative freedom, impact, and regulatory oversight at this interface of OTT.

With the audience appetite for web series and films growing, it is to be seen how OTT platforms respond to the call for accountability without compromising their creative edge.