As it seeks to grow in India, Netflix will censor itself to avoid a crackdown on offensive content
- Netflix has agreed to a new code of conduct in India to avoid a censorship crackdown.
- Among other things, the new code prohibits content that promotes violence against India, and content that purposefully offends the religion of any group.
- Netflix ran into legal trouble in India last year with its first Indian original series, "Sacred Games," for an unflattering reference to the country's former Prime Minister.
- The streaming giant is trying to break out in the region, and announced eight new Indian original movies in November.
Netflix has set its sights on India in an effort to break through in Asia and in pursuit of that goal, the streaming giant will now self-censor.
India has strict regulations on film and TV, but no streaming rules yet. Netflix has agreed to a new, voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct in the country to be overseen by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), likely to avoid a potential censorship crackdown, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Netflix said in a statement to THR:
According to THR, the code of conduct prohibits content that portrays children engaged in sexual activities; content that disrespects the national emblem or flag; content that purposefully offends the religion of any group; and content that promotes terrorism or violence against India.
Since Netflix can't operate out of China without a local partner, it's betting big on India after struggling to break out in Asian markets. At its first content showcase in the region in November, Netflix announced 17 new Asian originals, eight of which were Indian original movies, including one starring Dev Patel ("Slumdog Millionaire," "Lion") called "Hotel Mumbai."
But the company already ran into issues last year with its first Indian original series, "Sacred Games," which faced controversy over an unflattering reference to India's assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A petition was filed in Delhi High Court July for Netflix to remove any scenes from "Sacred Games" that reference Gandhi. The case is still ongoing.
Despite the legal trouble, Netflix is going forward with a second season of "Sacred Games."