Guidelines to govern streaming platforms are "almost ready", Minister of Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar said in a minute-long statement in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Javadekar said: "The issue raised by Mahesh Poddar-ji on OTT platforms is very important. Everyday, we receive both suggestions and complaints on the subject. Guidelines and directives are almost ready, and they will be put in place soon." https://youtu.be/O_sNKiRBsqo?t=139 The remarks are the clearest assertion by the government so far that they are prepared to take a harder line on regulating streaming services if they don't agree to the government's demands on self-regulation. Javadekar sidestepped questions on OTT regulation in written parliamentary responses this month in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, choosing instead to make an announcement on impending guidelines in person. Written answers by Ministry on OTT regulation In the Lok Sabha, Biju Janata Dal MP Pinaki Misra asked the following question, and received a response from Javadekar that did not rise to the level of promising regulation from the government, as opposed to letting the industry self-regulate: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:- (a) the estimated number of users and market size of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms in the country; (b) Whether the Government is aware of the facts that content/web series aired on OTT platforms is full of sex, violence, abuse, vulgarity and disrespect to religious sentiments and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with complaints received in this regard so far sate/UT-wise;…
