Observing that pre-censorship is inadmissible, the Supreme Court on Thursday wondered how there could be a pre-screening committee for web series, films, or other programmes available directly on the Internet.
A bench of Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi heard a petition filed by Mirzapur resident Sujeet Kumar Singh to establish a pre-screening committee for web series, films, and other online programmes.
Would it be possible to establish a pre-screening committee for the web series? Legislation exists in this regard. It must be stated that existing legislation must apply to over-the-top (OTT) unless you say it also includes OTT. There will be various questions arising as a result of transmission from other countries.”
Although viewers may be located in this country, OTT satellite transmissions are from other countries. There is a different mechanism for redressing complaints following an exhibition. Your petition must be more detailed. “File a better one,” the bench told the petitioner.
Over-the-top (OTT) platforms enable video and live stream feeds to be delivered to any internet-connected device. This method allows video content to be delivered and monetized directly to viewers without the need for third-party platforms.
Additionally, the top court declined to stay production of the third season of the popular web series ‘Mirzapur’.
As part of its earlier hearing, the court had asked the Centre, Amazon Prime Video, and Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd to respond to the complaint, which also alleged that the movie “Mirzapur” tarnished the historical and cultural image of the city by portraying it as a city occupied by goons.
It is requested that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting be directed to require government certification before the release of a web series, film or other such program on online platforms.
The petition requested that the government formulate rules and regulations governing the release of such content on online platforms as well as require censorship of such content.
