#InRajyaSabha Today (July 27, 2023)
As per today’s revised List of Business for Rajya Sabha, an amendment to the Cinematograph Act, 1952 was scheduled to be taken up for consideration.
During discussion on the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the issue of OTT regulation was raised by a few MPs. Anurag Thakur, Minister for Information and Broadcasting clarified that OTT platforms are bound by the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021 which gives them self regulatory powers.
He said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held a meeting with the dominant OTT players to ensure they remain responsible under their self regulatory power to ensure vulgar & obscene content is regulated. At present, they’re awaiting a report on steps taken by the OTT players.
The Minister has clarified that if the OTT platforms fail to do so, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will step in to regulate the OTT space, clarifying that it is not keen upon doing so. He also said that the Ministry will put forward the concerns raised by the House in their subsequent meeting.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 today at 4:23 PM. Rajya Sabha has been adjourned until tomorrow 11AM.
