Delhi HC gives govt time to frame rules for content on OTT platforms

The next hearing in the case is on April 25

by Team PITCH
April 19, 2023

Delhi HC gives govt time to frame rules for content on OTT platforms

The Delhi High Court has granted time to the government to inform it about the steps being taken for regulating content on social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

The development follows an order by the Supreme Court on 6 March where it had directed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to take steps to enforce its rules on content creation with regard to intermediaries such as social media and OTT platforms, as notified in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 and to enact laws as necessary.

On April 12, the government counsel asked for some time to file a reply. The matter has now been posted for hearing on April 25. The high court said framing rules and guidelines for content regulation on social media and OTT platforms need urgent attention. The court also underlined the need to take seriously the use of obscene language in the public domain which is open to children of tender age.

The case pertains to TVF’s online series 'College Romance' was harshly criticised by the high court for use of obscenities.