Centre warns OTT platforms against inadvertent promotion of drugs
New Delhi (PTI): The government has cautioned OTT platforms of further regulatory scrutiny if they are found streaming content that inadvertently promotes, glamorises, or glorifies the use of drugs through the main protagonist and other actors without disclaimers or user warnings.
In an advisory to OTT platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said, "Such a portrayal has serious repercussions, particularly regarding the potential influence on young and impressionable viewers".
Citing the Code of Ethics for OTT platforms, the advisory asked them to exercise due diligence in content review and issue disclaimers or user warning while for any programming that contains depiction of drug use.
"OTT platforms are requested to voluntarily conform to these guidelines in the larger public interest. Non-compliance may result in further regulatory scrutiny, especially in the light of the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 read with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985," the advisory said.
The Code of Ethics for OTT platforms provides that a publisher shall not transmit, publish, or exhibit any content prohibited under any law for the time being in force or by any court of competent jurisdiction.
The advisory has also been shared with the self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms.
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Bengaluru: Man held for killing uncle over house dispute, tried to pass it off as accidental death
Bengaluru (PTI): A 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing his uncle following a dispute over vacating a house and attempting to pass off the death as accidental, police said on Wednesday.
The accused has been identified as Masroor Ahmed.
The victim, Inayath Pasha, was living alone on the ground floor of his sister’s house in Austin Town on a lease basis. Police said he had a disability in his left leg due to polio since birth, and earned his livelihood as a two-wheeler mechanic.
According to the complaint, on the evening of March 1, Pasha’s son visited him at home and found him lying unresponsive.
On checking, he discovered that his father had died. A case of unnatural death was initially registered at the Viveknagar police station.
During further investigation, police questioned Pasha’s sister, her son, and other relatives.
A relative raised suspicion about the circumstances of the death, following which a murder case was registered, a senior police officer said.
During interrogation, it emerged that an argument had taken place on March 1 between Pasha and his nephew, Ahmed, over vacating the house.
Police said that during the altercation, Ahmed allegedly assaulted Pasha, causing him to lose consciousness and collapse.
The accused then placed him on the bed and left the scene, police added.
