SC Issues Notice On Plea For Regulation Of Internet Streaming Platforms Such As Netflix, Hotstar Etc

The Supreme Court today issued notice in a petition seeking framing of guidelines by the government to regulate the functioning of online media streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar etc.

The petition was filed by NGO Justice For Rights Foundation against the February 19 judgment of the Delhi High Court which had dismissed the plea.

The NGO claimed that online media streaming platforms show content which is "unregulated and uncertified" for public viewing.

The High Court bench of  Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao rejected the petition after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting informed it that online platforms are not required to obtain any licence from the ministry.

The NGO had argued in HC that television series like "Sacred Games", "Game of Thrones" and "Spartacus", shown on platforms like Netflix, contain "vulgar, profane, sexually explicit, pornographic, morally unethical and virulent" content which often "depict women in objectifying manner".

It had sought directions to the ministries of communication, information and broadcasting as well as law and justice to frame guidelines to regulate such platforms and the content they broadcast.

In the petition filed in SC, the NGO said that the High Court adopted a "myopic appreciation of the writ petition".