OTT platforms have evolved into more than just sources of entertainment; they now hold a broader significance. The impact of OTTs experienced distinct phases before and after the Covid outbreak. The pandemic prompted lockdowns, leading people to adopt prolonged content consumption habits. The absence of stringent censorship has also contributed to the substantial growth of OTTs. These platforms have embraced bold content without significant limitations, a trend that has raised concerns and triggered discussions about the need for guidelines.
Addressing these concerns, the Union government has taken a significant stride. It has announced its intention to establish regulations monitoring explicit content on both social media and OTT platforms. The government’s stance was presented in an affidavit to the Delhi Court by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). This move is a response to the Court’s previous emphasis on the necessity of guidelines to address objectionable content and language on OTTs.
The Delhi High Court highlighted this issue in reference to a specific web series. Notably, the renowned YouTube channel TVF, known for its engaging web series, released “College Romance.” However, the explicit language employed in the series drew criticism and raised concerns. The court’s response was fueled by the objectionable language found in the series, prompting a call for appropriate measures to be taken.