India New Directive- Blocking Pakistani Content on OTT Platforms

The Indian government has issued a directive to Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, advising them to refrain from streaming Pakistani content. The advisory, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, covers all types of media, including web series, films, and podcasts. This move comes amid recent military strikes by Indian forces on terror sites in Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

The directive is part of the government's efforts to protect national security, and it targets content originating in Pakistan. The advisory asks OTT platforms to discontinue streaming media content with Pakistani origins, including popular web series, films, songs, and podcasts. The government hasn't specified what content should be taken down, leaving it to the discretion of individual platforms.

The move has sparked a debate among industry experts and legal analysts about the implications for freedom of expression and access to diverse content in India. OTT platforms have not officially responded to the government's directive, and it is unclear how they will implement the advisory. The directive aims to prevent any media perceived as compromising national interests, citing the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

The industry reaction has been mixed, with some viewing it as a patriotic act and others worrying about the impact on creative freedom. OTT platforms must now review and purge content to comply with the directive, or risk facing legal action under the IT rules. The government's move has significant implications for the streaming industry in India, and it will be interesting to see how OTT platforms respond to the directive.