The demand to ban sexually explicit content on OTT platforms in India have become louder once again after a foundation that promotes Hindutva, is ready to propose new Broadcasting Regulation Bill

Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation in India, held a press conference on 27th December. The conference was on ‘Addressing the misconduct on OTT platforms and demand to Label abusive or sexually explicit content as Anti National activity’ at Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, New Delhi and was headed by former Central Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar. The aim of the conference is to bring key eminent people of society together and pass a resolution to unite the nation against those forces that are ruining the Bharat’s goal of becoming Vishwa Guru by remorselessly dishing out utterly obscene content and misleading the nation, especially the youth and children, said press invite. According to the information, the Swachh Cyber Bharat Campaign online campaign is launched, that urges people to send in their suggestions to the government for the draft Broadcasting Service (Regulation) Bill, Business Standard quoted.
Government released the draft of regulation bill on November 10th and kept it open for the recommendations from public until December 9, which later got extended till 15th January 2024. It is set to replace Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. ‘It asked the government to ban sexually explicit content completely, ‘as in Dubai’ and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bring in law of ethics and adequate changes in the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill’, Business Standard reported. The content running on OTT platforms are constantly been targeted, under current government. Calling it against the Hindu culture and misleading young people, the demand to have strict censorship over content making and releasing over OTT platforms is a pressure on entertainment industry.
Rohan Gaur is doing his Masters in Film and aspire to become a filmmaker. But the recent development in context to Broadcasting rules disappointed him. He said, ‘I am about to finish my degree and all I expect from the government is to provide free and fair space to new graduates, to use their skill and grow. The kind of restrictions they are planning to impose will affect the craft and creativity of filmmakers or scriptwriters or even actors, for that matter. I believe it is unnecessary, political agenda that has been pushed throughout by different platforms. And, it is sad to witness that now the politics is influencing entertainment industry of our country. There are few of incredible stories our Indian filmmakers have directed, and tried making it available for its audience that has gained attention globally, but such irrelevant perspective will have an impact on Indian cinema and the craft’.
Former Information Commissioner, Mahurkar while addressing the conference said, ‘We have demanded specific limits on themes, scenes, language and clothing in audio-visual content across all platforms to ensure responsible content creation’. He further added, there are 500 apps that show such content that depicting incestuous relationships, especially in the country’s majority Hindu community. According to an article published by Bangor University, ‘Many Psychologists argue that the method through which shows and movies are conveyed have a profound impact on our mentality, behaviour and even actions! This is because media content creates a fictional world so similar to real life that our minds often regard that we watch as our reality’. On asking, is it a crucial step, as movies and shows have positive and negative impacts over its audiences, Gaur told EAT news, ‘Yes, I agree that films and shows holds the power of shaping the behaviour of society and the people who are exposed to such content, but filmmakers are aware about it and makes sure to release disclaimer with brief information. The age restriction or sensitivity, visuals or audio contains is a matter of discussion before executing it’.
However, he added that films could be fiction or non-fiction, and audience have the choice to perceive it accordingly. If it showcase the fantasies, it also reflect the society, that we live in. And currently, OTT platforms are successfully acting as a medium for audiences to watch masterpieces. Has Bollywood content changed by the time in India, in terms of sexually explicit, to which Gaur described, not specifically. ‘Firstly, what here, sexually explicit means because it will be perceived differently by each individual. I would not say the content has changed because it existed, there are number of old films and songs that are considered objectionable by many people I know, around. Simultaneously, in present we are watching lot of it because, they are not up on theatres but on our smart phones. So, they are easily accessible. Today, filmmakers are exploring and are not sticking to the aim of wanting a commercial hit. And this has introduced multiple genres that old Bollywood was lacking’, he said.
Stringent laws and stricter censorship in Bollywood has been demanded earlier, but this time The Foundation is all set to propose new Broadcasting rules, on the name of Swachh (Clean) Cyber Bharat (India) Campaign.