Why the Draft Broadcast Services Bill 2024 Raises Concerns of Freedom of...

In recent weeks, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in India has stirred up a significant debate with its new Draft Broadcast Services (Regulation) Bill 2024. This proposed bill aims to introduce wide-ranging regulations on independent news creators across social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). This expansion of regulatory control from OTT content and digital news to social media platforms has raised serious concerns about the potential impact on freedom of speech and expression.

What is the Draft Broadcast Services Bill 2024?

The MIB has shared a draft law with a select group of industry stakeholders in a watermarked format, likely to prevent broader dissemination. This draft proposes extensive regulations on creators who publish news and current affairs on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X. The bill’s implications are far-reaching, sparking fears about government overreach and censorship.

Expanding the Definition of Digital News Broadcasters

In the 2024 draft, the ministry has expanded its remit from OTT content and digital news to include social media accounts and online video creators. Compared to the November 2023 version, this draft defines a “digital news broadcaster” as anyone who broadcasts news and current affairs through an online medium as part of a systematic business, professional, or commercial activity. This broad definition encompasses a wide range of creators, potentially subjecting many to new regulatory requirements.

#FreedomOfSpeech, #BroadcastServicesBill2024, #DigitalNews, #SocialMediaRegulation, #YouTubeCreators, #IndependentJournalism, #ContentCreation, #MediaRegulation, #OTTContent, #DigitalMedia, #FreeSpeech, #IndianMedia, #GovernmentRegulation, #OnlineNews, #SocialMediaLaw, #ContentCreators, #NewMediaLaws, #DigitalBroadcasting, #MediaFreedom, #MIBRegulations, #YouTubeNews, #InstagramNews, #XPlatform, #IndianGovernment, #DigitalNewsBroadcasters, #MediaControl, #CensorshipConcerns, #TechPolicy, #FreePress