Censorships on OTT platform’s: Handcuffing creative
freedom
OTT (Over - the – top) platforms are streaming services that utilises
the internet to deliver media content rather than the traditional cable or
satellite Television. This digital distribution method allows users to access
these contents on-demand from anywhere in the world as long as there is good
internet connectivity through any device such as smartphones, laptops, smart
television, etc. Prior to the emergence of traditional over-the-top
(OTT) platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, which provide a
variety of media content through subscription models, there were Apple iTunes
and Amazon Unbox, which allowed users to rent, buy, and download media material
via the internet. As a result, after 2007 the OTT platforms as we know them
today—Netflix and other services—were born.
Unlike traditional media, which is mostly governed
by different regulatory or censorship bodies, OTT platforms have long been seen
as a place where creators and storytellers can very freely express themselves
without much censorship and restriction. Filmmakers are able to produce shows
that challenge social conventions, ask hard questions about taboo subjects, and
cross -cultural barriers because to this flexibility. Additionally, people's or
spectators' sentiments are wounded when certain social standards and boundaries
are crossed.
In a multi – diverse country like India, where the
people’s sentiments lie deeply rooted with their religion, culture and power
dynamics, shows such as Mirzapur, Tandaz, Sacred Games, A Suitable Boy, showcasing
complex power structure, caste divisions, religious tension, and gender
dynamics evoked very strong reactions across different sections of the society.
There were legal cases filed against these shows claiming them to be spreading
disinformation, promoting ‘Love Jihad’, and defamatory. This consequently
raised the demand for more stricter regulations on OTT contents shared in
India. The Information Technology
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 was
introduced by the Ministry of Information and broadcasting to tackle these
kinds of complaints with a 3 – tier regulatory framework.
One of the primary justifications offered for OTT
filtering is its ability to shield young users from offensive and dangerous
content. Reduce the dissemination of false information, fake news, hate speech,
and other such things. However, given that these platforms are only available
through subscriptions, people tend to overlook that they are entirely
user-choice driven. Knowing what kinds of contents are available on the
platform, those who subscribe to it make their own decisions. And later
complaining about the contents of it is kind of a hypocritical move.
OTT platforms cater to a much wider audience than
just their immediate area, they tend to attract viewers of different niche,
social background, age, sex because of the different kinds of contents that
they offer and because of how it un – apologetically mirrors the real world in
its shows, connecting people of different regions. These platforms offer
visibility to marginalised sections of the society, who are often neglected in
the traditional media. Decisions on censorship are frequently dependent on
personal judgments of what is offensive or improper, which results in
discrepancies in what is and is not permitted. One group's offense might not be
another's, which might result in material removal that is done arbitrarily and
a lack of clarity for content providers.
The actual spirit of OTTs is kind of taken away by
these kinds of limitations. The majority of the shows that are available on
these platforms are like mirrors of society; they depict real-life events while
adding a fictitious touch. The entire scope of what a show may accomplish is
minimized, and the directors' creative license is restricted. It creates a
cloud of fear over their head, constantly worried about legal repercussions,
public backlash or offending particular religious groups.
Discussions on topics including gender, sexuality,
caste, religion, mental health, and political corruption are become more common
thanks to OTT platforms. Censorship has the power to stop these discussions
from taking place, which can impede social and cultural advancement in a
community that would benefit from an open discussion of these issues.
REFERENCES –
Censorship of OTT
Platforms: A Boon or Bane, by Vaishnavi Madhukar Karegaonkar
https://www.abhidhvajlawjournal.com/censorship-of-ott-platforms-a-boon-or-bane/
Censorship Requirements for OTT Content in India: A
Comprehensive Overview
https://utkrishthalaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Censorship-on-OTT-Content-in-India.pdf
CENSORSHIP OF OTT
PLATFORMS: THE CONUNDRUM IN THE REGULATION AND THE WAY FORWARD by-Ishita Goya
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