Digital
Leading with purpose creates wins for consumers, community and country: Hina Nagarajan of Diageo India
MIB issues advisory to discontinue Pakistani web series, films, music on OTT
The ministry references recent terrorist attacks with cross-border linkages to Pakistan-based State and non-State actors, specifically citing the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of several Indian nationals, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to several others.
The directive was issued with the approval of the competent authority in the ministry.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory directing OTT platforms, streaming services, and digital intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue all content having its origins in Pakistan.
The advisory invokes Part-II of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules provide a Code of Ethics for publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms), specifically requiring caution and discretion when dealing with content that:
i. Affects the sovereignty and integrity of India
ii. Threatens, endangers or jeopardises the security of the State
iii. Is detrimental to India’s friendly relations with foreign countries
iv. Is likely to incite violence or disturb public order
Additionally, Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules mandates intermediaries to make reasonable efforts to ensure users do not host or share any information that “threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order.”
The ministry references recent terrorist attacks with cross-border linkages to Pakistan-based State and non-State actors, specifically citing the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of several Indian nationals, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to several others.
In light of these concerns, the advisory instructs platforms to discontinue web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content whether subscription-based or otherwise originating from Pakistan, with immediate effect.
The directive was issued with the approval of the competent authority in the ministry.
SPOTLIGHT
At the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spotlighted the critical role of traditional media in an evolving digital landscape. He emphasized that such gatherings can aid the govt in formulating more effective policies for a balanced and sustainable media ecosystem.
Read MoreIN PHOTOS: At Global Pioneers Summit, visionaries chart the future of business and creativity
From the chiefs of Nestle, Diageo, Colgate, PepsiCo, Zetwerk and CRED to AI visionaries, marketing mavens, top creators, ad legends and leading global agencies' CEOs, the brightest minds converged at the Storyboard18 Global Pioneers Summit for an action-packed day of meaningful dialogues on creativity, commerce and culture.