Broadcast bill (X)
New Delhi: The opposition has been criticizing the proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill since its original form was made public last year, citing claims that a revised version was "secretly" provided to a small group of stakeholders. The topic, which has garnered a lot of attention on social media and raised questions about YouTubers and Instagram influencers being subject to government regulation, was also raised in Parliament.
Jawhar Sircar, a Rajya Sabha MP for the Trinamool Congress, initially raised attention to the issue by claiming that a new version of the bill had been distributed to stakeholders and commercial houses. Sircar tweeted, "The Modi government exchanges information with business houses and'stakeholders' but suppresses facts from Parliament." "The administration has quietly disseminated the amended Broadcasting Bill, but it will not admit it. He continued, "It sidesteps the remaining question because no democratic nation has such a harsh law.
The law was still in the drafting stage, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha in a written response to Sircar's inquiry. This was the reason for Sircar's outburst. Nevertheless, a number of purported clauses from the purportedly amended bill have already been publicized and are making the rounds on social media, which has prompted criticism from certain content providers.
A commenter described it as an attempt to "close the independent journalists," while another stated that it "suppresses the independence of every independent content provider." According to an article in The Hindustan Times, the draft bill would classify YouTubers and Instagram influencers as "digital news broadcasters," with the government defining their user base. Despite TikTok's restriction in India, creators on the app can still be included.
These digital news broadcasters are reportedly going to operate independently of registered digital media and over-the-top broadcasting platforms. The initial version of the bill suggested that over-the-top (OTT) platforms, which possess unrestricted content creation rights, would be subject to a code of conduct. After the law is passed, the material makers supposedly have to give the government notice that they are there within a month. This clause probably also applies to any account that shares news, regardless of the number of followers. According to reports, they might also need to register under a three-tier regulatory structure, much like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Additionally, according to the draft bill, they will have to pay for the creation of a "content evaluation committee" in order to evaluate the information before it goes live. Those who do not comply will probably be prosecuted. An important feature is the creation of a Broadcast Advisory Council, which will have the authority to fine violators financially. The council will be composed of five officers chosen by the Center and experts in the field. The paper also states that those who share news and current events on social media "as part of a systemic business, professional, commercial activity" will fall under its purview. As a result, any podcast with news commentary or news blog with Google AdSense activated will need to follow the guidelines.
The fact that the proposed bill's restrictions probably apply to all Internet users globally is another feature of the legislation. Companies that are categorized as intermediaries, like Meta, YouTube, and X, may face criminal charges if they fail to divulge any information that the government requests.
According to reports, they are described as "an middleman that largely facilitates the purchase and sale of online advertising space or the placement of advertisements on online platforms without endorsing the advertisements themselves." Congress harshly criticized the measure, claiming that the "excessive surveillance" occurring online amounted to "the government's dictatorship."
Congress politician Pawan Khera wrote on X that "increasing government control over content providers, from social media influencers to independent news sources, threatens the independence of the press and hinders free speech." The party's head of media and publicity, Khera, stated that the proposed measure would classify anyone who uploads videos or creates podcasts as "digital news transmitters." He remarked, "This may unduly restrict individuals and small teams from delivering independent journalistic coverage." Pre-publication censorship is increased by mandating content evaluation committees be established by internet creators. This will impede the delivery of timely news and stifle free speech, Khera added.
The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill is a direct threat to our freedom of speech and independent media. Here's why we all must raise our voice against the government's tyranny:
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) August 2, 2024
▪️Increased government control over content creators, from social media influencers to… pic.twitter.com/RWT1hpecUM
The head of Congress claimed that small content producers will be subject to a "severe regulatory burden" as a result. The strict requirements would force many independent journalists to close their doors, as they lack the wherewithal to comply. He claimed that the regulations will damage independent creators' "economic viability" and place them on par with major broadcasters. "This is precisely how the government ended the crypto market in India, and it will deter new participants," he said.
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