Question

Instead of the government regulating Over-the-top (OTT) platforms, there have been calls for a self-regulating mechanism for such platforms, as in the case of print media. Discuss.​

Answer 1

An over-the-top (OTT) platform is a streaming media service offered directly to viewers via the internet. Such platforms have become popular in India since the last few years. Recently, concerns have been raised by the government to regulate OTT platforms owing to the following reasons :-

• OTT media bypasses the cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms, which are regulated. For ìnstance, owing to Covid-19, numerous movies are being released on major OTT platforms, thereby escaping regulation and certification.

• The issue of content regulation has always been contentious in India because of the diverse nature of Indian society in terms of religion, economic status, caste and language.

• Article 19 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental right also has reasonable restrictions regarding decency and public morality, public order, defamation, incitement to offences, etc.

• Thus, it cannot be denied that regulation, which serves as an advisory for the content being presented to the viewers, plays a useful role. Recently, the government has brought films, audio-visual programmes, news and current affairs content on online platforms under the purview of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

However, there have been calls for self-regulation mechanisms for the OTT platforms, as in the case of print media (Press Council of India) due to the following reasons :-

• It will avoid the case of governmental interference and censorship, which become especially problematic while regulating digital news.

• It will promote standards that advance media’s credibility with the public, particularly in a country like ours, which still needs to evolve to get an independent media.

• It will have the effect of levelling the playing field by bringing new digital players within the purview of a self-regulatory framework that non-digital players have been subject to all these years. Moreover, print and television media have managed to maintain their independence in self-regulation frameworks. Thus, there is no reason to have a different regulatory mechanism for OTT platforms.

• It would be challenging to monitor online content 24*7 thereby putting further pressure on the existing manpower and infrastructural capabilities of the government.

• Thus, the government should enable an ecosystem of self-regulation rather than censorship and OTT platforms, in turn, should set an example of responsible journalism and freedom. Further, self-regulatory çode signed by OTT platforms in 2019 could be developed further in collaboration with all stakeholders.

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Answer 2

Explanation:

you tell to me that you gave me thanks tomorrow

please your notes is complete

and gave me multiple thanks