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Economic Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Govt blocks 25 OTT platforms for streaming obscene, vulgar content
ANI The government has ordered the blocking of 25 Over the Top (OTT) platforms for airing obscene content, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry said on Friday. The platforms including Ullu, Gulab, Hulchul, MoodX, and Mojflix, among others, have 'obscene, vulgar and in some cases pornographic content', the ministry said in a statement. The action to disable 26 websites and 14 apps have been taken in consultation with the ministries of home affairs, electronics and IT, and women and child development, and will be enforced through the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021. The government finally cracked the whip on the 25 platforms after the I&B ministry had warned all of them back in September last year. Meanwhile, five platforms blocked earlier in March 2024, started publishing obscene content on new website domains, the ministry said. "There was hardly any storyline, theme or message in a social context. A large portion of the content was obscene and vulgar," the statement read. Content on these platforms have fallen foul of multiple sections of IT Act, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. "While these sections criminalise the publication and uploading of obscene content, the power to ban or order takedown of offending material online is governed by Section 69A of the IT Act read with Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009," Vikram Jeet Singh, partner at law firm BTG Advaya, said. Singh pointed out this was important, since the government has in the past relied upon Section 79 of the IT Act while ordering content takedowns. In May, the web series 'House Arrest' had been taken down by Ullu after intervention by the I&B inmistry. Ullu had been censured earlier by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council, when over 100 web-series were asked to be removed. But after removing them, the OTT had re-uploaded the unedited versions, the ministry said. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Can Chyawanprash save Dabur in the age of Shark-Tank startups? Piaggio sues former employee for 'Coldplay' reference on CEO Why Air India could loom large on its biggest rival IndiGo's Q1 results Can medicines inject the vitamins Amazon is missing? How India's oil arbitrage has hit the European sanctions wall Stock Radar: Bajaj Finance breaks out from falling supply trendline; likely to hit fresh highs above Rs 1,000 Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 25% return in 1 year, according to analysts For investors with patience & cash: 6 large-caps with strong balance sheets & big TAM; and an upside potential of more than 24%
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Govt blocks 25 OTT platforms for streaming obscene, vulgar content
The government has ordered the blocking of 25 Over the Top (OTT) platforms for airing obscene content, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry said on Friday. The platforms including Ullu, Gulab, Hulchul, MoodX, and Mojflix, among others, have 'obscene, vulgar and in some cases pornographic content', the ministry said in a action to disable 26 websites and 14 apps have been taken in consultation with the ministries of home affairs, electronics and IT, and women and child development, and will be enforced through the Information Technology Act , 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021. The government finally cracked the whip on the 25 platforms after the I&B ministry had warned all of them back in September last year. Meanwhile, five platforms blocked earlier in March 2024, started publishing obscene content on new website domains, the ministry said."There was hardly any storyline, theme or message in a social context. A large portion of the content was obscene and vulgar," the statement on these platforms have fallen foul of multiple sections of IT Act, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986."While these sections criminalise the publication and uploading of obscene content, the power to ban or order takedown of offending material online is governed by Section 69A of the IT Act read with Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009," Vikram Jeet Singh, partner at law firm BTG Advaya, said. Singh pointed out this was important, since the government has in the past relied upon Section 79 of the IT Act while ordering content May, the web series 'House Arrest' had been taken down by Ullu after intervention by the I&B inmistry. Ullu had been censured earlier by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council, when over 100 web-series were asked to be removed. But after removing them, the OTT had re-uploaded the unedited versions, the ministry said.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Udaipur Files: I&B panel OKs the movie; no Supreme Court nod yet
Udaipur Files NEW DELHI: New Delhi: The I&B ministry's special committee Monday cleared the release of the film 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' with a new disclaimer, replacing the name 'Nutan Sharma' (representing Nupur Sharma in true story) and the line 'maine toh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharm grantho mein likha hai (I said what is written in their religious books)'. But the film would not be released in theatres as a Supreme Court bench asked the petitioners to file their objections to the committee's Monday order. The bench posted the matter for hearing on Thursday. The Supreme Court posted the 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' movie release case for further hearing on Thursday and said till then the film would not be released in theatres. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta said the committee passed the order after watching the film and hearing objections from the counsel for the petitioners. It has ordered additional cuts and changes apart from the 55 cuts effected on orders of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) prior to allowing its release. The panel headed by additional secretary in I&B ministry Prabhat and comprising advisory panel members – Anila Sharma, Satish Pande, Sona Kumari (all from CBFC), and joint secretary in ministry of home affairs, Anil Subramaniam. In its order, the committee recommended release of the film for commercial/public viewing after carrying out the following changes/modifications: Replace the existing disclaimer with the recommended one and include a voice-over for the disclaimer. Remove frames in the credits that thank various individuals. Revise the AI-generated scene depicting a Saudi Arabia-style turban. Replace all instances of the name 'Nutan Sharma', including on the poster, with a new name. Delete Nutan Sharma's dialogue: '…maine toh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharm grantho mein likha hai…' Remove following dialogues: Hafiz: '…Baluchi kabhi wafadar nahin hota…'; Makbool: '…Baluchi ki…' and '…Arre kya Baluchi kya Afghani kya Hindustani kya Pakistani…' The disclaimer included — it is not a literal account of actual persons or occurrences; Any resemblances to real persons and events is unintentional; film does not endorse, justify or glorify violence, vigilantism, extremism or illegal acts.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I&B panel OKs 'Udaipur Files', but no SC nod yet
Udaipur Files NEW DELHI: The I&B ministry's special committee on Monday cleared the release of the film 'Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder' with a new disclaimer, replacing the name 'Nutan Sharma' (representing Nupur Sharma in true story) and the line 'maine toh wohi kaha hai jo unke dharm grantho mein likha hai (I said what is written in their religious books)". But the film, whose screening was objected to by Maulana Arshad Madani and the main accused Mohd Javed who beheaded the tailor at Udaipur for sharing a controversial post by Nupur Sharma on the Prophet's marriage, would not be released in theatres as a Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the petitioners to file their objections to the committee's Monday order. The bench posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.
News18
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
IFFI 2025 to have renewed focus on youth
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will have a renewed focus on youth and open new avenues for student film-makers and content creators, an official statement said on Friday. The statement was issued after the first meeting of the Steering Committee in Mumbai chaired by Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The steering committee also decided to re-brand the Film Bazaar, held as part of the IFFI, as the WAVES Film Bazaar. This is part of a broader strategic vision to position India as a global hub for content, creativity and co-productions, the statement said. The 56th IFFI will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28. 'With a renewed focus on youth, the festival will open new avenues for student film-makers and young content creators through curated master classes, industry workshops and networking platforms that connect new voices with global mentors," the statement said. The steering committee meeting was attended by I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum, senior officials from the Government of Goa, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC). The meeting focused on strategic planning for the IFFI 2025, with detailed discussions on programming, outreach, talent engagement and innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing the festival's inclusivity, global positioning and public engagement. In a move to foster greater inclusivity and creative insight into the festival's design, the steering committee has been expanded from 16 to 31 members, reflecting a more diverse and industry-representative body. The committee includes film personalities such as Anupam Kher, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Suhasini Maniratnam, Khushboo Sundar, Pankuj Parashar and Prasoon Joshi, bringing a wealth of expertise from across cinema, production, media and cultural leadership. PTI SKU RUK RUK view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 23:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
