The Government of India is preparing to enforce revised guidelines for films and serials on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, which will include them “beeping out profanity and blurring the obscene scenes,” sources informed.
According to The Times of India, the new guidelines will likely promote alternative ways of depicting ethnographic scenes or those with intimate and nudity content. Besides this, the new guidelines will also likely work on toning down the language with profanity or vulgarity.
Implementation of New Guidelines
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is currently working on implementing these new guidelines for OTT content which is anticipated to be released soon.
Earlier this year in March, they also acted against 18 OTT platforms by blocking access to their websites, apps, and social media handles. This is due to the streaming of inappropriate content. This move was a part of the government’s broader initiatives to ensure that streaming content aligns with Indian laws and cultural norms.
Consultations with Stakeholders
The sources also said that consultations with the stakeholders, including companies and individuals are underway as the guidelines are prepared. “These guidelines are being designed to ensure they do not violate certain legal provisions related to women. The rules will ensure that stories can be expressed through films without any violations,” said an official.
The report added that the new regulations will not ban outright content, but a practice that shapes the content will be followed. Apart from beeping out obscenities and pixelating indecent parts, the guidelines may want the necessary obscene conversations to be said in a twisted fashion. Suggested changes in appearances and sexual scenes will also be given.
Ensuring Compliance
To enforce compliance, Ministry is expected to regulate and scrutinize the content provided by OTTs. Managers might have to accommodate employees in charge of proposing less abusive dialogues in the film. Further, producers should be made to provide Affidavit to the Censor Board and the ministry that they have complied with the new guidelines during the production process.
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