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Centre Eyes Mandatory CBFC for OTT Releases
16 Jul
Summary
- Government may mandate CBFC certification for films on OTT.
- Action against Zee5 for Satluj's uncertified release is considered.
- Policy changes could amend IT Rules for digital media.
The Indian government is contemplating a significant regulatory change, potentially requiring mandatory certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for all films released directly on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. This proposed measure stems from the recent controversy surrounding the film 'Satluj,' which was reportedly streamed on Zee5 earlier this month without obtaining the necessary CBFC certificate.
Government sources suggest that screening 'Satluj' without certification was legally impermissible. Consequently, actions against the streaming platform Zee5 are reportedly being examined for their role in airing the uncertified version. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also possesses the authority to direct platforms to remove uncertified content, a power that was reportedly exercised in the 'Satluj' case.
This potential policy overhaul could involve amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules. The aim is to align the release of digital content with that of theatrical releases, ensuring films undergo prior review before public exhibition on streaming services.
