Lok Sabha Question No. 2000 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: Guidelines for Television Ratings and OTT Platforms
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Bhagirath Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2000

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2021)

## GUIDELINES FOR TELEVISION RATINGS AND OTT PLATFORMS. 2000. SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  the  guidelines  for  television rating agencies, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to further strengthen the rating system to make it reliable and transparent; (b)  whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  against  over-the-top (OTT) platforms regarding their programmes during the last two years; (c)  If  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  action  taken  by  the  Government thereon; (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  the  guidelines  for  OTT
- platforms, and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING;  AND  MINISTER  OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a):  In  order  to  address  the  issues  in  the  light  of  recommendations  of  the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) dated 28 th April, 2020 on 'Review of Television Audience Measurement  and  Rating System  in India' and the technological advancements / interventions to address the system, a Committee was  constituted  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Prasar Bharati  with  members  from  IIT,  C-DOT  and  IIM.      The  Committee  was  tasked, inter  alia,  to  study  any  issues  related  or  incidental  to  the  subject  and  make recommendations  on  way  forward  for  a  robust,  transparent  and  accountable rating system in India. The Committee has made  recommendations  on measurement  methodology,  the  structural  changes  in  the  composition  of  the rating  agencies,  audits  and  other  issues  referred  to  them  including  TRAI recommendations. Based  on  the  recommendations  of  the  Committee  headed  by  CEO,  Prasar Bharati along with recommendations of TRAI, the present guidelines have been analysed / evaluated vis-à-vis strengthening of transparency / panel homes and other parameters. (b) to (e): The Government has received several complaints against Over-the-top (OTT) platforms regarding content of programmes during the last two years. The Government has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and  Digital  Media  Ethic  code)  Rules,  2021,  on  25 th February,  2021  under Information Technology Act, 2000. These Rules were formulated after consultation  with  various  stakeholders.  The  Rules  inter-alia  provide  for  the following: (i) Code  of  Ethics  to  be  followed  by  publishers  of  news  &  current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (commonly known as OTT Platforms). (ii) A  three-level  Grievance  Redressal  Mechanism  consisting  of  the publisher  (Level-I),  self-regulating  body  constituted  by  the  publishers (Level-II) and an Oversight Mechanism of the Government (Level-III), with time bound grievance disposal mechanism. Furnishing of information by the publishers to the Government and periodical  disclosure  of  information  regarding  grievance  redressal  in

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(iii) public domain.