Question : Objectionable Content in Web Series

(a) whether the Government is aware of increased instances of objectionable, obscene, unauthorised content, messages, advertisement or communication, transmitted on various Over The Top (OTT) channels that or inconsistent with the laws of the country and portrayal of sex and violence in National and Regional Television including Bengali in the form of web series which is creating a negative impact on children and youths;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has taken/proposed to take stringent corrective measures to check the negative impact of rising depiction of sex and violence in web series on the children and youths;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government has received many complaints from the public in this regard and if so, the action taken thereon;

(f) whether the Government has deliberated to setup a screening body for web series programmes on the lines of Censor Board for films and if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the other corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) to (g): Government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000 on 25th February, 2021.

Part III of the Rules inter-alia provide for adherence to Code of Ethics by publishers of news and current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (OTT Platforms). The Code of Ethics requires OTT platforms not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law and undertake age-based self classification of content, based on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules, along with adequate safeguards for restricting age-inappropriate content for children with adequate access control measures.

The Rules also provide for a three-level Grievance Redressal Mechanism consisting of the publisher (Level-I), Self-Regulating Body constituted by the publishers (Level-II) and an Oversight Mechanism of the Government (Level-III), to look into complaints/grievances relating to violation of the Code of Ethics by OTT platforms. Complaints relating to violation of Code of Ethics are addressed as per this mechanism.