Lok Sabha Question No. 806 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-07
Subject: Code of Best Practices Signed by Streaming Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 806 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07/02/2019

## CODE OF BEST PRACTICES SIGNED BY STREAMING PLATFORMS

## 806.   SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

(a)  &  (b):  The  Internet  and  Mobile  Association  of  India  (IAMAI)  had  in  January,  2019 informed  regarding  development  of  Code  of  Best  Practices  for  Online  Curated  Content Providers including complaint redressal mechanism.

(c)  &  (d):  The  Committee  of  Experts  constituted  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Shri  Shyam Benegal submitted first part of its report in April,  2016  and final part  in  June, 2016.   The recommendations contained in the report require amendment in the Cinematograph Act and Rules.  It was felt that implementation of the recommendations, especially those requiring important amendments in the Act/Rules, be done after further consultations.

A  consultation  meeting  between  the  then    Hon'ble  Minister  of  Information  and Broadcasting,  Minister  of  Law  and  Justice,  Minister  of  Finance  and  Minister  of  Human Resources  Development  was  held  on  16 th March,  2017  to  deliberate  on  the  issue  of repeal/amendment of the Cinematograph Act. Another round of consultation in this regard by the then Hon'ble Minister with Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra  and  the representatives of Film Industries was held on 06.06.2017 at Mumbai. However, consensus could not be arrived at in respect of many of the recommendations made by the Committee.

(e) & (f): There is no proposal under consideration by the Government.  As per Entry 60 of the  Union  List  (List  I)  of  the  Constitution  of  India,  sanctioning  of  Cinematograph  films  for exhibition is the responsibility of Government of India.  Government of India has enacted the Cinematograph  Act,  1952  as  per  constitutional  provisions.    The  Central  Government  has constituted  the  Central  Board  of  Film  Certification  for  the  purpose  of  sanctioning  films  for public exhibition as per Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act.

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be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  code  of  best  practices  signed  by  the  Streaming  Platforms/Online Curated  Content  Providers  (OCCP)  under  the  aegis  of  the  Internet  and  Mobile Association of India (IAMAI);
- (b) the  details  of  the  redressal  mechanism  that  will  be  provided  to  consumers  of  such streaming platforms;
- (c) the details of the recommendations given by the Shyam Benegal Committee on film censorship and certification;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  implement  the  same  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to allow the film industries to self-regulate as per recommendations from within the film industry; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?