MIB issues advisory to discontinue Pakistani web series, films, music on OTT

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.

Read More:Operation Sindoor: India orders 1,000+ daily removals of social media misinformation after Pahalgam Attack