The government has issued a warning to OTT platforms, cautioning against streaming content that glamorises, glorifies or promotes drug use through main or supporting characters without appropriate disclaimers or user warnings.
According to news agency PTI, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s advisory stated that, “Such a portrayal has serious repercussions, particularly regarding the potential influence on young and impressionable viewers”.
The advisory referenced the Code of Ethics for OTT platforms, instructing them to conduct thorough content assessments and implement necessary disclaimers or viewer alerts for any content depicting drug usage.
According to the established Code of Ethics, OTT platforms are prohibited from broadcasting, publishing or displaying any content that is forbidden by current laws or by any authorised court.
“OTT platforms are requested to voluntarily conform to these guidelines in the larger public interest. Non-compliance may result in further regulatory scrutiny, especially in the light of the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 read with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985,” the advisory added.
The advisory communication has also been distributed to the self-governing bodies that oversee OTT platforms.
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