Online content creators, journalists and activists raised concerns about the draft broadcasting services and urged the Union Government to share the draft with digital media organizations and civil society groups, during a press conference conducted by DIGIPUB News India Foundation (an association of independent news organizations and journalists) on Thursday evening.
Media organizations argue that this bill aims to establish a complex legal framework to muzzle specific content. The Government can block any type of content that goes against the DPDP Act. Creators must have prior registration and clear evaluation standards set up by the Government.
The updated bill encompasses content related to current affairs, newsletters, social media posts, podcasts, and videos and classifies individuals who upload content concerning current affairs as ‘digital news broadcasters’.
President of the Editors Guild of India and the editor of Caravan, Anant Nath said, “The broadcasting Bill is yet another step in creating a complex legal framework to regulate, control, monitor, and censor content in the country.”
Nath went on to explain that the various regulations, such as Information Technology Rules, the Criminal Laws and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) all target the same piece of content, highlighting that it is like an opposition leader who has been targeted under ED, CBI and IT.
“You get bail in one, but, you will have to fight the other two” he added.
Pointing at the impact of the broadcasting bill, Dr Medusa, a political satirist said “The government wishes to deprive us of the chance to offer an alternative to the hate that is peddled on mainstream media channels everyday.”
Media reports reveal that it has been shared with a few industry stakeholders and the official draft bill is not yet made public. “The secrecy around the bill shows that there is a need to be concerned about its intent,” said Balram Vishwakarma, a content creator.
“Who are these stakeholders that the government is consulting?” Dr Medusa questioned.
Senior journalist Ravish Kumar called on the Government to reveal the names of the individuals with whom a copy of the bill is shared.
The Broadcasting Services regulation Bill released in 2023 brought broadcasting services under the scope of broadcasting regulation. Before the content is made public, the streaming services are required to review their content in Content Evaluation Committees (CECs). The new version of the bill 2024 includes social media creators like Youtubers and Instagrammers.
The proposed bill seeks to replace a centuries-old Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995 and includes over-the-top media providers and digital news platforms within its range.
