Objectionable OTT content won’t be accepted: Anurag Thakur

NAGPUR: Union minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Anurag Thakur has warned OTT platforms by saying that under the guise of creative licence, objectionable content cannot be put on screen. Thakur, who was in Nagpur on Sunday, said, “Freedom was given for creativity, not for using expletives and showing objectionable content. But if someone crosses the limit, then in the name of creativity we will not accept use of expletives and objectionable content.” The minister was responding to a query about increase of scenes depicting very graphic nudity and excessive use of expletives in dialogues.
Thakur confirmed the same by saying, “Recently we noticed an increase in complaints against OTT platforms.” He added that there is a set process through which the complaints are dealth with. Thakur said, “The process for this is that at the first level the producer/s have to find a resolution for the issues raised. Almost 90% of the complaints are addressed by them at this stage.” If still unresolved, the issue is then escalated to the OTT association level. Thakur said, “Their associations then take care of the maximum number of issues and resolution is found for majority of the complaints.”
Very few complaints remain unresolved and land up before the union I&B ministry. Thakur said, “When it comes before the government, before our department’s committee, then strict action as per rules is taken.” The minister hinted that this process is not a closed cannon, and that a mechanism will evovle to address issues as they develop. Thakur said, “Since such complaints have risen in recent times, our department is taking it very seriously. If changes need to be made (to the process) then it will be dwelt upon with the full attention it deserves