Supreme Court stays cases in High Courts concerning OTT platform regulation

Background
Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha, appearing for Justice for Rights Foundation, has filed a PIL for regulation of content in over-the-top (OTT) platforms by an autonomous body.

Prayer of the petitioners
1. Set up of a proper board, institution or association to properly monitor content in OTT digital media platforms and apply censorship if needed.

Affidavit filed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)

1. According to the new rules, the content of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime is being monitored.

2.A new rule for monitoring the OTT platform’s content – Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 was introduced this year.

3. A provision in sections 67,67A and 67B of this Act that the government can prohibit objectionable content.

Direction of the Supreme Court
1. As long as the matter is pending in the court, no High Court will hear the matter.

2.The court has listed the matter for further hearing after Holi vacations