New Delhi: The Union Government brought online news portals and content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar under the purview of Information and Broadcasting ministry. President Ram Nath Kovind signed on Monday on the notification. The government regulations also apply to news on Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Films, audio-visuals, and news and current affairs content on online platforms will come under the domain of the ministry.

The Supreme Court sought the centre’s response in October 2020, on a petition for regulating over-the-top or OTT platforms by an autonomous body. The top court issued notices to the centre, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Internet and Mobile Association of India. OTT platforms include news portals and also streaming services such as Hotstar, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which are accessible over the internet or ride on an operator’s network.

OTT/streaming and different digital media platforms have surely given a way out for film makers and artists to release their content without being worried about getting clearance certificates for their films and series from the censor board, the petition said. The Press Council of India takes care of the print media, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) monitors news channels, the Advertising Standards Council of India is for advertising while the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) takes care of films. Until now, there was no law or autonomous body governing digital content.

The Information and Broadcasting ministry had earlier told the Supreme Court in a separate case that there is a need to regulate digital media and that the court may first appoint a committee of persons as amicus before laying down guidelines with respect to the regulation of hate speech in the media.