OTT platforms operating in India must “reflect the collective conscience of the country” and provide a “healthy viewing experience to people of all age groups”, Union Information & Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said on July 18 at a meeting with representatives of major digital platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery, Alt Balaji etc.
The meeting was convened by the government to arrive at a better “understanding” of the streaming industry. It also discussed at length content on OTT platforms that “demeans Indian culture” or is “increasingly vulgar”.
Representatives of the streaming platforms told the minister that several systems and checks were in place in accordance with the government’s guidelines. Anurag Thakur categorically told the OTT players that the government would not allow “demeaning of Indian culture and society in the name of creative freedom” and that they shouldn’t use their platforms as tools of “vicious propaganda and ideological biases”.
The minister announced the institution of a ‘best web series’ award at the International Film Festival of India from this year.