Javadekar holds meet with OTT representatives on new guidelines

INFORMATION AND Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar Thursday held a gathering with representatives of OTT platforms, the primary after the federal government’s announcement of guidelines governing such content material. He stated all of the representatives who attended the assembly welcomed the brand new guidelines.
In a tweet, Javadekar stated, “Had a fruitful meeting with representatives from OTT industry and explained the provisions of the OTT rules. All representatives have welcomed the new guidelines. The ministry and industry will partner together to make the OTT experience better for all audience.”
Representatives of Alt Balaji, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Jio, Zee5, Viacom18, Shemaroo, MxPlayer amongst others attended the assembly. Government officers stated Javadekar, within the assembly, referred to a number of rounds of earlier consultations and “stressed the need for self-regulation”.

According to a senior official, the minister stated that he had acquired representations from cinema and TV industries and that whereas laws existed for them, there have been none for the OTT business. “Thus, it was decided that the government would come out with progressive institutional mechanism for OTT players and develop a level playing field with the idea of self-regulation. The minister appreciated that many OTT platforms had welcomed the rules,” the official stated.
Ministry officers stated that it was conveyed that OTT platforms merely must “disclose information and that there is no requirement of registration of any kind with the ministry.”
Several OTT platform representatives have been reached for feedback however refused to remark. One government consultant stated, “It was a general meeting which was meant to clarify the government position.”