The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is likely to issue a “negative” list of don’ts for video streaming services or Over-The-Top platforms like Netflix and Hotstar by the end of this year.

About the Regulation:

• The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is nudging the platforms to come up with a self-regulatory body on the lines of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority.
• In January, eight video streaming services had signed a self-regulatory code that laid down a set of guiding principles for the content on these platforms.
• The move was to pre-empt any attempt by the government to impose censorship.
• The negative list will include few non-negotiables that will be prohibited. This will be basic things like ensuring that the Indian map is depicted correctly, to ensure that women are not depicted in a denigrating manner.
• The ministry said that the list would in no way curtail the freedom of expression or stop the content makers from criticizing the government.
• A self-regulatory body is also being thought about, drawing members from among themselves like the News Broadcasting Standards Authority(NBSA). The body will not be expected to do any pre-censorship of the content

The self-regulatory code adopted by the OTTs:

• The code adopted by the OTTs in January prohibited five types of content

1. Content which deliberately and maliciously disrespects the national emblem or national flag.
2. Anything visual or a storyline that promotes child pornography.
3. Any content that “maliciously” intends to outrage religious sentiments.
4. Content that “deliberately and maliciously” promotes or encourages terrorism.
5. Any content that has been banned for exhibition or distribution by law or a Court.

The need for Regulation of Online Video Streaming Content:

• According to new findings by market research firm Velocity MR, Post the telecom regulator (TRAI) new tariff regime, as many as 80% of people are expected to switch to online streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hotstar.
• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recently introduced a new tariff regulation in an aim to allow subscribers to pay for only those TV channels which they wish to watch.
• Certain broadcasters are airing content on their video streaming platforms for free, while the same content is chargeable on DTH and cable networks, posing a threat to the latter.
• The Ministry of Health observed a violation of anti-tobacco rules by these online video streaming platform.