CENSORSHIP

What do you mean by censorship?

• Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information.
This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful,
sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governments, private
institutions and other controlling bodies.

What are the reasons due to which censorship is imposed?

• Political reasons – Many times governments do not allow the publication/ production of

certain kinds of information on the grounds of being critical of it or some political party

in the ruling.

• Social reasons – The disclosure of some kinds of information may create social

disharmony due to which they are held back or censored.

• Moral reasons – Any content that is violating the moral code of conduct in society is

censored. This may include pornographic content, content promoting racial and

gender inequality or discrimination and others.

• Religious reasons – Any type of information that may hurt the religious feelings of some

community in society is often held back. Countries that have state religion also tend

to restrict such speech and expression in any form that may be blasphemous.

• Security reasons – Information that may harm the security of a state is often held back

from publication. Such disclosure may risk the security of a particular region against

foreign invasion and terrorist threats

 What are the effects of censorship?

• Censorship leads to excess restriction on freedom of speech and expression. Most of the

time it is used to silence those who are critical of those who are in power. Thus, it

may harm healthy debate and criticism in society. In this way, it gives prominence

and authority to a single group of people. It often becomes an instrument of

harassment of those seeking free speech.

CENSORSHIP IN OTT PLATFORMS

Abstract
 Over the top (OTT) media service is a streaming media service offered directly to
viewers via internet. This platform has overtaken the task done by television through
cable, satellite, etc.
 There are many OTT platforms working in India such as Netflix, Amazon Prime,
Hotstar, VOOT, etc.
 Unlike the content provided by cinema or television that is regulated by CBFC,
BCCC, etc., the OTT platforms have no regulatory body over them to control
the content streamed, and consequently enjoy their freedom.
 The content provided on such platforms though in violation of various laws of the
nation is still under Supreme Court's observation.

 OTT Platforms have been under the governmental lens for a while now. The
government is vocal about their intention to regulate this industry which until now had
been operating freely without many statutory laws governing these.

Do we need an official regulatory body for the purpose of censorship in OTT media?

Issue to be addressed
Whether the platform shall be under a self-regulatory body or there shall be a proper
legislation which provides for a statutory body to control and censor the content
streaming on such platforms is an important question.
 
Survey Analysis (YouGov Survey)
 As the debate surrounding censorship of OTT platforms like Netflix, Voot and Hotstar
wages on, 57% of Indian support their censoring violence, nudity and strong
language, a new YouGov survey finds. 27% said that censorship was unnecessary,
while 16% remained unsure.
 The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has reportedly held meetings with
OTT platforms to discuss this matter. Unsurprisingly, older Indians were more likely to
support content regulation than their younger cohort – that is why
 Gen X (66%) is most likely to support it, and Gen Z (33%), who are 22 or younger,
are least likely to.
 The study also found that men (45%) were more likely to support this measure
than women (34%).In general, nine in ten said content, whether its film, television or
online should be regulated with the government—with 40% of the belief that this
should always be the case and 51% opting for sometimes.
 When asked how they feel about the content on streaming platforms at the moment,
59% felt there was a lot of offensive content which is “unsuitable” for public viewing.
And 47% said they felt uncomfortable watching with their families.
The data is based on an online survey with 1005 respondents.

Case Studies on Several OTT Platforms as to how these platforms censor there own
content in different countries

From cuts to deleting an entire episode, here’s how Netflix, Amazon Prime and other
streaming services are censoring its own content! While India has strict guidelines on what’s
going to be released in theatres nationwide it is yet to regulate OTT platform.

 Netflix has taken down nine titles in its history due to demands from various
governments around the world

In 2017, Netflix India showcased the movie Angry Indian Goddess in the theatres with
several cuts to avoid a backlash. However, after heavy user demand, it released the uncut
version. Netflix said, “Our members reached out to us and we listened.”

Netflix’s popular Indian series — Sacred Games — landed in a lawsuit after several political
parties alleged that the thriller drama has defamed India’s late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

 Amazon Prime deleted an entire episode of the CBS political drama Madam Secretary
in its India version. The deleted episode of season 5 contained violent scenes involving
Muslims and other minorities in India — that could have possibly hurt sentiments.

The episode also had dialogues regarding India-occupied- Kashmir — a political hot
potato since independence and especially after the abrogation of Article 370. Hence, all the
Indian users were dropped straight to the second episode of the series, breaking continuity.

This isn’t the first time Amazon has done something like this. Previously, it had either cut
scenes from an episode of the Grand Tour or wiped out an episode from American Gods
featuring cows — a holy animal for Hindus — that could have triggered controversy.
 Drawn Conclusions

OTT platforms which had niche users when it started had earlier broadcasted content
which would have been otherwise censored. These shows which are ‘streamed’ and
now ‘shown like TV shows; came with warnings ahead -- and allowed makers with a
creative edge. However, this theory is diluted now that OTT platforms have gained
popularity, and a few shows with cult following are coming under the radar of religious and
political groups.

OTT platforms are supposed to self-censor like in the case of broadcasters as no

regulations exist. Since many TV channels have been staying away from controversy, a
need for laws was never felt. But OTT platforms are all set to breach them and now talks
have been doing the rounds that the government might step in to regulate it.

Recently, all the leading platforms Netflix, Hotstar, Sony Liv, Zee5 held a discussion with the
Indian government over self-regulation policies. 

In January 2019 all the platforms reportedly came together to sign an industry code that will
self-regulate online content in India. It means OTT platforms which started with ‘bold and
uncensored’ content are toeing the invisible line set by invisible powers that govern
the country.

How OTT Platforms comply to guidelines issues by Censorship Boards of Different

Countries

• In 2015, we complied with a written demand from the New Zealand Film and Video
Labelling Body to remove The Bridge from the service in New Zealand only. The film is
classified as "objectionable" in the country.
• In 2017, we complied with a written demand from the Vietnamese Authority of
Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI) to remove Full Metal Jacket from the service
in Vietnam only.
• In 2017, we complied with a written demand from the German Commission for Youth
Protection (KJM) to remove Night of the Living Dead from the service in Germany only. A
version of the film is banned in the country.
• In 2018, we complied with a written demand from the Singapore Info COMM Media
Development Authority (IMDA) to remove Cooking on High, The Legend of 420, and
Disjointed from the service in Singapore only.
• In 2019, we complied with a written demand from the Saudi Communication and
Information Technology Commission to remove one episode—"Saudi Arabia"—from the
series Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj from the service in Saudi Arabia only.
• In 2019, we received a written demand from the Singapore Info COMM Media
Development Authority (IMDA) to remove The Last Temptation of Christ from the service in
Singapore only. The film is banned in the country.
• In 2020, we complied with a written demand from the Singapore Info COMM Media
Development Authority (IMDA) to remove The Last Hangover from the service in Singapore
only.