Follow The Law Before Law Follows You: Hotstar, Netflix, Six Others Sign ‘Guiding Principles’ For Online Content

Eight major streaming services catering to the Indian market — Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, Arre, SonyLIV, ALT Balaji, Netflix and Eros Now — have come together to sign a self-regulatory code which creates guiding principles for the content on these platforms, reports The Hindu. The move is seen as an anticipatory step before the government could initiate its own regulatory framework aimed at controlling online streaming.

The code, which has been in the pipeline for over a year, prohibits content that intentionally and maliciously shows disrespect to the national emblem or the national flag, or maliciously intends to hurt religious feelings, attempts to encourage terrorism, etc.

The code also provides for the classification of content according to age groups; descriptors are to be placed to inform viewers of the nature of the content. As part of the framework, the eight streaming services have also agreed to set up departments to deal with customer complaints.

The signatory companies have asserted that the move should not be viewed as ‘self-censorship’ and will not constrict artistic liberty.

“With the growth of entertainment choices today, it has never been a better time to be a creator or consumer of entertainment and we firmly believe there must be the freedom to create and the freedom to choose,” stated a Netflix spokesperson.

Group General Counsel at Network18 Media & Investments Kshipra Jatana lauded the move and stated that the code will help balance the defence of creative freedom while at the same time protect the interests of consumers.