OTT Content Outside CBFC Purview: Govt
Three-tier regulatory mechanism under IT Rules governs digital streaming platforms
- OTT platforms are not regulated by CBFC, government clarifies
- Content governed under IT Rules, 2021 and prescribed Code of Ethics
- Three-tier mechanism ensures self-regulation and government oversight
- Grievances first addressed by OTT publishers at Level-I
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Dec: The Government on Wednesday clarified that content published on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and is instead regulated through a dedicated three-tier institutional mechanism under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Responding to questions in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan said the CBFC is a statutory authority constituted under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and is responsible only for examining and certifying cinematographic films meant for public exhibition in theatres.
He informed the House that OTT content is governed by Part III of the IT Rules, 2021, which lays down a Code of Ethics for publishers of online curated content. Under this framework, OTT platforms are required to ensure that content prohibited by law is not published and to undertake age-based classification of content in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
The minister explained that the IT Rules provide a three-tier institutional mechanism to ensure adherence to content-related norms and to address public grievances. The first level involves self-regulation by the publishers themselves. The second level comprises self-regulating bodies formed by the publishers, while the third level entails an oversight mechanism by the Central Government.
Grievances related to OTT content are initially forwarded to the concerned platforms for appropriate action under Level-I of the redressal mechanism, which is based on publisher self-regulation, as mandated under the IT Rules, 2021.
The clarification was provided in response to a question raised by Dr. M. K. Vishnu Prasad, with the government reiterating that the existing regulatory framework balances creative freedom with accountability in the digital content ecosystem.
