A cross-section of writers and directors have criticised the government’s decision to put online content under the purview of the information and broadcasting ministry, saying it could put Indian content creators at a disadvantage in the international stage and curb the personal and creative freedom of creators as well as viewers.

Filmmakers such as Hansal Mehta and Reema Kagti were among those who did not take the government’s decision well.

The move, as per a notification issued on Tuesday night, said that films, audiovisuals, news and current affairs content aired on online providers, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, would be monitored by the ministry. It said that the decision had been taken by exercising the powers conferred by clause (3) of article 77 of the Constitution, by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules.

The ministry will now have the power to regulate policies related to online content, including those of news, audio, visual contents and films.

Signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, the notification said the move would come into effect immediately.

MX Player CEO Karan Bedi, however, said he looked forward to working with the ministry to implement the efforts towards self-regulation.

"As responsible content creators, we want to ensure this act not only takes cognisance of the nature of content being released, but also ensures that we safeguard creativity in this rapidly growing sector, Bedi told PTI.

But Kagti said, ""It (the decision) puts Indian content creators at a disadvantage when they are competing on the world stage. I don't know what one can do...I don't know the legal ramifications of this. It is too premature to talk about what can be done. We should wait and hope things will get clear when the guidelines or whatever is the intent comes into play."

"Nothing specific has been said regarding censorship, except that it is coming under the ambit of I&B ministry. I should wait to hear what exactly this means," she said, and added that filmmakers are asked to cut several scenes even though the movie is rated ‘A’.

"I believe there should be no censorship regardless of the medium. Films and series can be age certified and classified but a free and democratic country should let its adult citizens decide what they would like to watch or not watch in a theatre, or on their phones and computers. The choice must belong to the citizen," the Lipstick Under My Burkha maker told PTI, adding that she fundamentally opposed censorship.

"Whatever happened to the understanding with Mr (Prakash) Javadekar that OTT will be self-regulated? The govt is giving in to the basest demands of prudes. How is this progress in any manner? Don't like it, don't watch it. Don't impose your regressive views on a billion people. Where was the public discourse before this autocratic decision was announced? And what's the process to appeal, if there's one at all?" Mirzapur writer-director Anshuman wrote on Twitter.

According to Danish Aslam, who created the show Flesh on the trafficking of women on Eros Now, said the joy of OTT platforms was that one could tell a story the way it was meant to be told without any artificial restrictions imposed from outside.