IBDF tells its OTT members to avoid vulgar, abusive content without justification
IBDF) Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC) has advised its member over-the-top (OTT) platforms to avoid unnecessary vulgar and abusive content without justification.
The DMCRC is part of the Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF), which has been formed by IBDF, and has 10 members, namely JioCinema, SonyLIV, Disney+ Hotstar, and ZEE5, among others.
The advisory was sent out after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) raised concerns over the excessive use of profanity, vulgarity, and obscenity in content produced by certain OTT platforms.
«The content shown by the platforms has a deep impact on society. The platforms have the freedom to tell stories the way they wish to, but it should be done after due diligence and with responsibility.
This is the essence of content self-regulation,» the DMCRC said in a statement.
It has also asked the OTT platforms to strengthen the self-regulatory framework and overall functioning of OTT platforms. Further, the OTT platforms have asked to conduct frequent meetings with content creators and production houses to sensitize them about vulgarity and obscenity in content.
The OTT platforms have also been asked by the DMCRC to ensure that the content is in due compliance with the self-regulation framework, including the Code of Ethics.
They have also been asked to ensure an accessible system to lodge content-related grievances and build access controls to empower the consumer to make content choices with complete awareness and knowledge.
While asking the OTT platforms to take steps to strengthen the self-regulatory mechanism, the DMCRC also noted that its member platforms have been abiding by the self-regulatory framework.
«Since it is a continuous
