BHUBANESWAR: BJD MP Prasanna Acharya on Wednesday demanded a law to censor contents on the OTT platforms and web channels.
Taking up the matter during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, the BJD parliamentarian from Odisha said the web channels, OTT platforms and social media outlets are taking undue advantage of not being censored and spreading hatred among religions and communities.
Acharya said some of the platforms were showing very obscene content and using objectionable language. “It has a very detrimental effect on the society at large,” he said.
The RS member said as Covid hit the entertainment industry hard, many theatres shut down and film shoots came to almost standstill, the OTT platforms got huge viewership. Taking advantage of the situation, the web channels resorted to showing obscene content, he added.
Objectionable language used by these platforms have very bad impact particularly on the younger generation. Some contents are also disturbing communal harmony and spreading hatred among different sections.
“India is a multi-lingual society and we need harmony between different languages, communities and religions. Such types of shows on the web channels are very seriously affecting this harmony,” he said.
Acharya said these would stop if there is censorship provision on them. Like the censor board for films (Central Board of Film Certification), there should be a body for checking contents of web channels. Nowadays, children too have access to cell phones and are exposed to such ugly scenes. In the name of freedom of creativity and expression, such debauchery, exploitation of women and disrespect to religious sentiments can’t be allowed, he said.
Pointing out that the Delhi high court had passed serious stricture on Twitter, Acharya said the micro-blogging giant sometimes allows objectionable comments against religious communities, which must stop. He said the HC had taken objection to Twitter not voluntarily removing objectionable content about a Hindu Goddess.
Acharya, when contacted, said the uncensored content unless regulated may disturb the country’s social and religious fabric. Besides, there must also be a level-playing field for all the contents. It would be unfair if only films are censored but not web series, he said.
