The Supreme Court has rejected a petition calling for a regulatory body for OTT platforms, citing concerns over the increasing number of policy-related PILs.
New Delhi: On October 18, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought the establishment of a regulatory authority to oversee content on over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms.The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, expressed concerns about the rising trend of PILs addressing policy issues, stating, “This is the problem of PILs. They are all on policy now, and we miss our genuine PILs.”The petition, submitted by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, contended that OTT platforms operate without the same regulatory scrutiny as films and television, allowing for the unchecked dissemination of explicit content, violence, and substance abuse without appropriate warnings.Jha argued that existing self-regulatory measures, like the IT Rules 2021 introduced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, have failed to effectively manage harmful content.The petition also raised alarm over potential national security risks associated with unregulated digital content, referencing the promotion of gambling and drug use. Jha proposed the formation of a regulatory body akin to those overseeing traditional media, suggesting that it should consist of representatives from various sectors, including cinema, law, defense, and education, and be led by a senior IAS officer.
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