The OTT Obscenity Debate

Published On: March 16, 2024 - In a recent development, the Indian government has taken stringent actions against 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts for promoting obscene and vulgar content. This crackdown comes after repeated warnings from Information & Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur regarding the misuse of 'creative expression' as a shield for objectionable material. The rise of web series and OTT platforms has transformed entertainment consumption globally, with a staggering 3.3 billion subscribers in 2023, expected to reach 4.2 billion by 2027. However, concerns regarding obscenity have sparked debates on the need for new regulations in India. The proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 aims to encompass OTT platforms under broadcasting regulations, prompting discussions on potential discrimination and constitutional violations. Are tech giants like Meta and X doing enough to curb the dissemination of soft porn on their platforms? Join Editor News9 Plus Sandeep Unnithan on 'The News9 Plus Show' with esteemed guests including Author & Senior Journalist Uday Mahurkar, Filmmaker Saurabh Varma, and Film Trade Analyst Girish Wankhede as we delve into the complexities of creative liberty, expression, and obscenity in the digital age.