IFTPC seeks legal advice on protecting producers from influencer extortion

New Delhi: The Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), which represents over 375 film and television producers in the country, has raised concerns about what it describes as an increasing pattern of predatory behaviour by some social media influencers.

Therefore, the IFTPC has decided to seek opinions from top-tier legal counsels to explore all available legal remedies under both civil and criminal laws to bring a swift and decisive end to these extortionate practices.

According to the council, certain influencers have been allegedly threatening to post malicious or disparaging reviews and reaction videos of films, series, and other audio-visual content while demanding payments from producers. If the demands are not met, the IFTPC noted, threats of targeted campaigns intended to damage a project’s reception and commercial performance have been issued.

In a statement, the body said, “While the IFTPC and its members are absolutely not against the freedom of speech and welcome genuine, constructive criticism, the acts of extortion by some of these unscrupulous individuals go far beyond the purview of legitimate reviewing and are causing a grave threat to the creative and economic health of the Indian film and entertainment industry.”