Character test for publishers?

IN Media Watch Briefs | 04/07/2016

The Mumbai chief metropolitan magistrate’s office passed an order on May 13 decreeing that publishers in Mumbai will have to furnish “character certificates” issued by the police each time they file a declaration for a new publication, reports The Indian Express. The Mumbai Police Special Branch’s “character and antecedent” certificate requires the applicant to state, among other general information, whether he or she has been involved in political activities in the past, and if so, to provide particulars. Reportedly, the measure, already in force in Thane and Pune, will not apply to existing publications, but will kick in if there is any change in the publication’s name or periodicity.

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Amazon resisting voluntary censorship

The new term for self censorship is voluntary censorship, as proposed by companies like Netflix and Hotstar. ET reports that streaming video service Amazon Prime is opposing a move by its peers to adopt a voluntary censorship code in anticipation of the Indian government coming up with its own rules. Amazon is resisting because it fears that it may alienate paying subscribers.

Let the games begin

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