Amid war tensions between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), on Thursday, May 8, has issued an advisory directing all OTT platforms, streaming media services, and intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue Pakistan-origin content. This includes web-series, films, songs, and podcasts.
"In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect," the advisory read.
The advisory follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. On May 7, India launched retaliatory strikes against nine terrorist sites in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, which led to an escalation between both the countries.
The advisory, issued by Deputy Director (Digital Media) in I&B Ministry Kshitij Aggarwal, said that several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan-based State and non-State actors.
The notification specifically mentioned the Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed.
The Ministry’s directive draws on Part-III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which lays down a Code of Ethics for OTT platforms. The code mandates that publishers of online curated content must consider several factors before transmission, including whether the content affects the sovereignty and integrity of India; jeopardizes the security of the State; if it is is detrimental to India’s friendly relations with foreign countries; or if it is likely to incite violence or disturb public order.
It also pointed out to the mandate that intermediaries must make reasonable efforts to ensure users do not host or share content that could threaten India's unity, integrity, security, or friendly relations with foreign States.
The advisory has been circulated to all publishers of online curated content, self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms, associations of media streaming services, and digital intermediaries.