Ott Streaming – A Conceptual Frame Work And Regulatory Approach

Abstract

The concept of On the Top (OTT) streaming under controlled or uncontrolled environment is gaining speedy momentum across the world. India is also no exception to it. The issue of regulating the OTT streaming in some or the other form of government regulated censorship or certification has been intensely researched in international internet online, media and communication domains. The pitfalls of the legalities associated with it have also been discussed in numerous studies. Through traditional mediums, a lot of content is being released which raises the question mark about it to be sponsored. Today, it also raises the question and at the same time doubt about the sanctity of traditional print, audio and visual communication which if indirectly sponsored by regulation enforcers would yield undue and undeserved gains to them. There is a dire need that there should be some platform to ethically behave in release of content. OTT streaming obviously provides the solution to present state of affairs. But, then if OTT is also bought under strict regulatory mechanism then again the story would not be much different than what it is. In this paper, the focus is laid on the comparative functioning of government regulated and self regulated release of content in public domain specifically in light of the freedom of speech and expression protected under Article 19 in Constitution of India. In this paper it has been concluded that in fact the self regulated environment with ethical legitimate responsibilities would promote the spirit of the right to freedom of speech and expression in India. Besides, it has become crucial to premeditate upon this issue mainly considering the pandemic gripped Indian community as content is being released online rather than on traditional mediums under the scope of regulations.