GOVT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CREATIVE FREEDOM, ENFORCES OTT OVERSIGHT VIA IT RULES, 2021; THREE-TIER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM IN PLACE TO REGULATE OTT CONTENT

India, Aug. 6 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:

Creative freedom and OTT regulation:

Freedom of expression including creative freedom is protected under Article 19 of the Constitution.

To address the negative effects of harmful content on OTT platforms, Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 on 25.02.2021 under IT Act, 2000.

* Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).

* OTT platforms are under obligation not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law for the time being in force.

These rules further provide a three-tier grieva...