Regulation of ott and need of censorship

Abstract

Traditionally, televisions, films and other audio visuals platforms have been primary means of entertainment. However, with rapid technological advancement, the world has evolved from theatres and films to online streaming and video on demand (vod) services. Internet and technology have become an inevitable part of our lives and therefore omnipresent. In this fast paced world, each one of us sits in front of an electronic gadget to pass time. The evolution of media and visual entertainment has witnessed a drastic change in the current decade due to the era of digitalization. The whole concept of visual entertainment started with few television channels and now it is easily available and accessible through the mobile phone, personal computers and Smart TVs. The current trend stands out to be the use of OTT platforms for which the number of users increases exponentially in our country. With regards to laws related to media and censorship, we are yet to upgrade ourselves to fit in the computerised world. This paper is an attempt to explore the grey area of OTT platforms and its evolution along with possible outcomes and suggestions that can be brought in the aspect of censorship and media laws. Increased content consumption by the Indian audience led to a huge increase in the number of OTT Platforms tossed in India, serving the diverse sensibilities of the Indian audience. Unlike conventional media, streaming platforms have a diverse range of stories that are not constrained by censorship.1