The self-regulation toolkit: OCC operators struggle for a fine balance

Arguments over a voluntary code for self-regulation intensify even as the prospect of government intervention looms

For online curated content (OCC) providers, who broadcast their content over the internet, the dream run of creating programming without any regulation is now over.

In the first week of February, Information and Broadcasting (I&B) minister Prakash Javadekar announced that the government will soon come out with regulation for these players. On Thursday, 17 OCC operators quickly signed on the dotted line for a voluntary code after over two years of contentious debate. What they accepted was a toolkit for the industry, which they have presented to the I&B ministry for approval. The big boys who endorsed the code include