When it comes to the material available on OTT platforms, the industry has never been unanimous. While many have praised their right to free speech and expression, others have voiced anger at the overwhelming use of profanity and obscenity for amusement.
Are OTT regulations in place?
When it comes to regulating or regulating the content that streams on digital platforms, there isn't really a regulatory body.
The streaming service providers signed a self-regulatory code in 2019 that addresses the regulation or prohibition of the following forms of content:
Any material that promotes child p**nography in any way, whether through imagery or a narrative, or that willfully and maliciously denigrates the national anthem or flag
Any anything that "maliciously" seeks to offend religious sensibilities
Content that "deliberately and maliciously" advocates or promotes terrorism, as well as any material that has been prohibited from distribution or exhibition by law
How did Ekta and Shobha Kapoor get themselves into trouble?
A PIL that was filed in response to these regulations claimed that no restrictions had been placed on the platforms where digital content is made available to the public without any kind of filter or screening. The primary query now is: What if the content offends the viewers' sensibilities? This article is about the online series X*X by Ekta and Shobha Kapoor, which explores various facets of sexual interactions.
How did it all start?
An ex-serviceman in the army named Shambhu Kumar filed a complaint, claiming the programme disrespects the national anthem and Hindu deities. According to a report by PTI, a Begusarai district court in Bihar has issued an arrest order for the mother-daughter team. Judge Vikas Kumar issued the warrant. The complaint was made in 2020 and claimed that the web series contained multiple offensive scenes involving a soldier's wife. Hrishikesh Pathak, the complainant's attorney, notified PTI of the news.
Next, what?
Ekta and Shobha Kapoor have not yet responded to the situation. But this incident has only served to amplify the discussion surrounding the right to free expression on digital platforms. In addition, if any regulatory future governing body for the same.
