SC PIL Seeks Independent Regulator for OTT Content Oversight

On September 10, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, seeking the establishment of an independent regulatory body to monitor and control content on OTT platforms in India. The petition, submitted by lawyers Shashank Shekhar Jha and Apurva Arhatia, highlights the need for regulation, citing the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which claims to depict real events. The petition notes that while the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) oversees film screenings, digital platforms like OTT services operate without similar oversight. The petitioners request the Supreme Court to direct the government to create the 'Central Board for Regulation and Monitoring of Online Video Content', led by a senior IAS officer and comprising members from various fields, to regulate digital content for Indian audiences.