In perhaps a first-of-its-kind move in Kerala, the Ernakulam Central police have booked seven major online movie reviewers and social media platforms on a petition by a film director.
The move assumes significance as the Kerala High Court had earlier in October issued notice to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on a petition seeking to establish clear and transparent guidelines for online film critics and vloggers.
Among the accused are Hains, owner of a cinema promotion company named Snake Plant; a person with a Facebook account under the name anoopanu6165; YouTubers Arun Tharanga and Aswanth Kok and operators of YouTube channels NV Focus and Trend Sector 24X7; and Travelling Soulmates with a social media handle of soulmates55. Social media platforms YouTube and Faecbook have also been arraigned as accused in the case.
