Petition to Ban Online Movie Reviews: Madras High Court Issues Notices to Center and State Governments

The Tamil Film Active Producers Association (TFAPA) has filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking a ban on online movie reviews for the first three days following a film's release. Producers argue that while positive reviews can benefit films, negative reviews cause substantial financial losses, a grievance they have long expressed.

The TFAPA urged the court to direct governments to establish guidelines regulating online reviews. The association also called for restrictions on reviews published on YouTube channels and social media pages during this three-day period. While acknowledging that critics have the right to review films, TFAPA emphasized the need to prevent malicious campaigns and defamatory content motivated by personal grudges or business rivalries.

The association highlighted that such negative campaigns often mislead audiences, deterring them from watching a film even before forming their own opinions.

Upon hearing the petition, Justice S. Saundar issued notices to the central government, Tamil Nadu state government, and YouTube. The court noted the petitioners' concerns but remarked orally that reviews and critiques fall under the domain of free speech and expression. Justice Saundar questioned how such rights could be curtailed, raising important points about the balance between creative freedom and regulatory intervention.