Netflix, Disney+, Other OTT Platforms Asked By I&B Ministry To Review Content For Violence, Obscenity Before Release: Report

Unlike films shown in Indian cinemas, which are reviewed and certified by a government-appointed board, streaming content currently lacks such regulation.

Industry executives consider India's streaming regulations to be among the strictest globally.

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The Centre has instructed streaming services such as Netflix and Disney to have their content independently reviewed for obscenity and violence before being made available online, according to a document from the Indian government and sources cited by Reuters. The proposal was presented to the streaming platforms during a meeting at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry headquarters in New Delhi on June 20. However, the streaming companies raised objections and no consensus was reached, as stated in the government meeting minutes and confirmed to Reuters by an industry source present at the meeting.

The ministry expressed concerns about explicit and vulgar content on OTT platforms, which had been raised by Members of Parliament, citizen groups, and the general public, according to the meeting minutes, seen by Reuters.

Netflix and Amazon have gained immense popularity in India, with the streaming market projected to reach $7 billion by 2027, as reported by Media Partners Asia.

Online content often features top Bollywood stars, but some of it has faced criticism from lawmakers and the public for scenes considered vulgar or offensive to religious sentiments.

Unlike films shown in Indian cinemas, which are reviewed and certified by a government-appointed board, streaming content currently lacks such regulation.

During the meeting, officials suggested the industry consider establishing an independent panel to review content and filter out unsuitable material, according to two attendees.

While the industry voiced objections, the officials encouraged them to contemplate the idea.

The government emphasised the need for a "more proactive approach" to ensure that streaming content, including international content, adheres to a code of ethics already in place, as revealed in the meeting minutes.

The meeting was attended by Amazon, Disney, Netflix, Reliance's broadcast unit, Viacom18, and Apple TV. Requests for comments from the companies and the ministry remained unanswered.

These discussions indicate an increasing level of scrutiny on India's rapidly growing streaming market.

The proposal comes amid streaming giants' protests against a government directive to include 50-second tobacco health warnings in all content. It also follows a previous order for self-regulatory bodies to handle complaints about streaming content.

Industry executives consider India's streaming regulations to be among the strictest globally.

During an April event where the government partnered with Amazon to promote film and television, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stated that streaming platforms should not promote vulgarity or abuse disguised as creative expression.

Thakur acknowledged the rising number of complaints about explicit content and expressed the government's readiness to revise regulations if necessary.

At the meeting, Indian officials also proposed the formation of an expert panel to determine age ratings instead of leaving that responsibility to the platforms, as revealed by one attendee.

The platforms assured that they would implement strong parental controls and exercise caution regarding the suitability of international content, according to the meeting minutes.

Suhasini Maniratnam of the Digital Publisher Content Grievance Council highlighted that pre-censorship could harm industry growth and lead to job losses. She stressed the need for specific action against explicit and vulgar content given the large volume of material produced.