Web series makers and other content creators are expressing their displeasure on this move by the government. (Photo: Prime Video, SonyLIV)OTT platforms, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Disney Plus Hotstar among many others, and news websites, will now come under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as per a notification issued on Wednesday.
Karan Anshuman, known for directing web series like Inside Edge and Mirzapur, called the move “unacceptable.” He shared on Twitter, “Unacceptable. Viewers and creators have to band together and challenge censorship in any and every manner!”
Unacceptable. Viewers and creators have to band together and challenge censorship in any and every manner! https://t.co/0AjBMbeTD5
— Karan Anshuman (@krnx) November 11, 2020
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta expressed his disappointment at the government’s order. Talking to indianexpress.com, the director said, “While this decision wasn’t unexpected, it is still a reason for despair. This desperation for control of free speech and expression does not augur well. I am currently very disappointed.” Mehta recently saw immense success with his web series Scam 1992. His next film Chhalaang releases on Amazon Prime Video on November 13.
Director Alankrita Shrivastava, whose Dolly Kitty Aur Chamakte Sitare recently premiered on Netflix, told indianexpress.com, “I don’t know the details of the new decision. But we have been living with censorship in the theatrical and broadcast space since forever. It is a legacy of the British we should have shrugged off long ago. I think the idea of censorship itself is problematic for me regardless of the medium. As a filmmaker working in a free and democratic country, I think there should be no censorship at all on any medium. I think adult citizens who are allowed to vote should be allowed to watch what they want on the big screen or on their phones and computers. I think certifying content for age is fine, but censoring content is not fine. Because censoring films and stories equals to censoring thoughts.”
Screenwriter Aniruddha Guha shared on Twitter, “This is DANGEROUS, and we all need to speak out against it! The OTT and online space is literally the only medium in India that gives creators *some* freedom and security, and throttling independent voices is going to destroy whatever free speech is left in the country!”
Earlier, the government had asked OTT platforms to come up with a self-regulatory mechanism. But, in September, the government expressed displeasure at the model proposed by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). The model was largely rejected because it did not define the code of ethics and was not clear on the definition of prohibited content. The IAMAI was asked to look into the model followed by News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) and Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC).