Understanding the Draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2024
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting |
| Draft Bill | Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 |
| Replaces | Television Network Act of 1995 |
| Objective | To consolidate the legal framework for the broadcasting sector and extend it to OTT content and digital news |
| Key Features | - Digital News Broadcasters: Includes publishers of news and current affairs content through online platforms, excluding replica e-papers. |
| - Code of Ethics: Validates the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, currently stayed by High Courts. | |
| - Content Evaluation Committee (CEC): Creators must form CECs, register with a Self-Regulatory Organisation, and adhere to orders by the Broadcast Advisory Council. | |
| - Fines: Rs 50 lakh for first contravention; Rs 2.5 crore for subsequent violations within three years. | |
| OTT Platforms | - Referred to as 'publisher of online curated content'. |
| - Excludes news and current affairs programs. | |
| Expanded Scope | - Accountability for creators: Due to sensational claims by independent content creators during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. |
| - Content amplification: Concerns over algorithms amplifying certain narratives. | |
| Concerns | - Freedom of speech: Potential chilling effect due to sweeping definitions and government regulations. |
| - Exemptions: Government may exempt certain stakeholders from the Bill's provisions. |