OTT content to stay outside CBFC; IT rules mechanism applies

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory authority established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 for examining and certifying cinematographic films for public exhibition.

OTT content is regulated under the provisions of Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The Code of Ethics requires OTT platforms to avoid publishing content prohibited by law and undertake age-based classification of content as per the guidelines in the Rules.

These Rules also outline a three-tier institutional mechanism for ensuring adherence to content-related norms and for addressing public grievances.

• Level I: Self-regulation by the publishers
• Level II: Self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the publishers
• Level III: Oversight mechanism by the Central Government

The grievances related to OTT content are duly forwarded to the concerned OTT platforms for appropriate action under the Level-I of the redressal mechanism viz. self-regulation by the publishers, provided under the IT Rules, 2021.

CT Bureau