Govt to control online news media and other OTT platforms

The central government has issued a notification to bring online news portals and content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar under the Information and Broadcasting ministry.

 On this, The notification has been issued on Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules amendment to include Digital/Online Media (films and audio-visual programmes, news and current affairs) content under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The new amendment also applies to news on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In the recent past, the Supreme Court sought the centre's response on a petition for regulating over-the-top or OTT platforms by an autonomous body. The top court issued notices to the centre, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Internet and Mobile Association of India.