Demand for censorship of OTT platforms in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi, March 30: With OTT platforms gaining unprecedented viewership since the pandemic when entertainment sources were affected due to restrictions, a demand has been raised in the Rajya Sabha for censorship of OTT platforms and web channels.
A BJP MP told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that there was a censor board for films, but not for web channels. He demanded a law to bring in censorship for OTT platforms and web channels to cull out obscene scenes and content spreading religious hatred.
The issue was raised through a Zero Hour mention. Biju Janata Dal's Prasanna Acharya said OTT platforms had gained unprecedented viewership during Covid-19 outbreak when traditional entertainment sources were hugely impacted.
"Taking advantage of this, web channels are showing very obscene pictures and sometimes using very objectionable language…(this) is having a very bad impact, particularly on the younger generation," he said.
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Such shows on web channels are also seriously affecting communal harmony as India is a multi-language and multi-religious society, he said.
He said if there was a censorship provision, this could not have happened.
Acharya mentioned the Delhi High Court's recent strictures against microblogging platform Twitter for allowing objectional comments against religious communities, creating an atmosphere of intolerance.
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-PTC News
