This statement from the ministry has come at a time when series like ‘Vikrant Rona’ and ‘Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo’ have been released on OTT in the past. Not only this, complaints have also been filed against the producers of shows ranging from ‘Sacred Games’, ‘Tandav’ and ‘Mirzapur’ to ‘A Suitable Boy’. Vikram Sahai was a panelist during the discussion on ‘Digital Media: Taking Stock of Self Regulation’ at FICCI Frames 2023 in Mumbai.
’13 complaints received against OTT content in 22 months’
Producer Madhu Bhojwani is also a member of the Grievance Redressal Board. He spoke about his experience of being a part of the board for two years during the event. He says, ‘I think in 2021, when the code of conduct document was released, many expressed apprehension over it. But I think the Makers community has taken it very well. I was very happy when IMAI (Internet and Mobile Association of India) inducted me on the board. I got a chance to know what are the complaints people are making.
Talking about complaints, Madhu Bhojwani says, ‘Only 13 complaints have come in the last 22 months. There have been two reviews on the advice of the Ministry. I think many of the lawsuits and disputes that were there before 2021 were being filed unknowingly. There was a lot of concern among creators at that time, but after 2021 once this regulatory framework came into force, a filter has been created. The incoming complaints are also being resolved. When the complaints are not resolved and rectified at the first level, then it comes to us at the second level.
‘People have grievances, so they now have a forum’
Vikram Sahai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of IB, says, “When the self-regulation structure was introduced, it was not clear what to do, because the platform of OTT is different. We were here grappling with the ideas of foreign countries and we had many options. Some people said that the films coming on OTT should be pre-certified. We also had a Singapore model where they have a digital media authority. We also had an e-commission model from Australia. We looked at all those options and said no, the government has great faith and confidence in the makers of films and web series. With that belief, we have put in place a robust structure for handling complaints. So that if common people have any complaint, they have a forum.
Complaints are resolved at three levels
Today, resolution of complaints regarding OTT content takes place at three levels. There are grievance redressal officers and self-regulation bodies, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has an inter-departmental committee to hear complaints. Most of the OTT platforms are registered with either IAMAI DPCGC (Internet and Mobile Association of India – Digital Publishers Content Grievance Council) or DMCRC (Digital Media Content Regulatory Council).