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Govt Supports Creative Freedom but Keeps Watch on OTT Content

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06 August 2025 | New Delhi

The Government of India has made it clear that it respects creative freedom and freedom of speech, which are protected under the Constitution. However, to prevent harmful or obscene content on OTT platforms (like Netflix, Prime Video, etc.), the government is also taking steps to regulate what’s shown.

To do this, it follows the IT Rules 2021, which include:

  • A Code of Ethics for online platforms
  • OTTs must not show anything illegal
  • A 3-level complaint system is in place:
  1. First, the OTT company handles the complaint
  2. If not solved, the issue goes to a self-regulating body
  3. Finally, the Government steps in if needed

So far, 43 OTT platforms have been blocked for showing obscene content.

Govt Advertisements in All Media

The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) manages government ads across:

  • Newspapers
  • TV & Radio
  • Outdoor (like billboards)
  • Digital platforms

Detailed rules for how ads are released are available on their official website: cbcindia.gov.in

Govt Promotes Gaming, Animation, and XR Technologies

India is investing big in creative fields like:

  • Animation
  • Visual Effects
  • Gaming
  • Comics
  • Extended Reality (XR)

This whole area is called the AVGC-XR sector.

Some big steps taken:

1. World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025

Held in Mumbai (May 1–4), it attracted over 1 lakh creative people globally. Events included:

  • Talent hunt (Create in India Challenge)
  • Sessions on AI, XR, music, and storytelling
  • Support for startups via investor meets and mentoring

2. Launch of Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT)

  • A new institute like IITs and IIMs, but focused on creative tech
  • Rs 392.85 crore invested
  • Courses in Gaming, Animation, Post-Production, Comics, and XR
  • Partnered with big names like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, NVIDIA, WPP
  • Website: https://theiict.in

This information was shared in Lok Sabha today by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Source: PIB

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