Centre Brings Online News, Films, Streaming Platforms under I&B Ministry

In its latest move to regulate the digital space, the Union government has brought online films, audiovisual programmes, news and current affairs content under the domain of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Now, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has the power to regulate policies regarding the said content available on online platforms including streaming sites such as Netflix or Prime Videos.

A notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on November 9 and signed by President Ram Nath Kovind said that the decision to bring online content under the ambit of the I&B Ministry was taken in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of article 77 of the Constitution.

While some lauded the move as a much-needed reform, it has received criticism from a large number of people, especially on social media. Many see the move as an attempt to curb indepence of online news platforms and censor content on OTT platforms. Some have also opined that the new rules would ruin the quality of content on OTT platforms.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared the notification released by the Cabinet Secretariat followed by a tweet saying, "First clampdown, then lockdown and now shutdown. One day there will be a takedown."

The new rules have amended the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and come into effect immediately. These rules are referred to as the Government of India (Allocation of Business) 357th Amendment Rules, 2020.

The notification reads: “In the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, in THE SECOND SCHEDULE, under the heading 'MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SOOCHANA AUR PRASARAN MANTRALAYA)' after entry 22, the following sub-heading and entries shall be inserted, namely:-

VA. DIGITAL/ONLINE MEDIA

22A. Films and Audio-Visual programmes made available by online content providers.

22B. News and current affairs content on online platforms.”