New Delhi, August 12: The ministry of information and broadcasting on Monday has withdrawn the latest draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024. The Bill had raised concerns among online content creators as it proposed to club them with OTT or digital news broadcasters.
The Bill was released for consultations in November last year and a fresh draft was circulated among select stakeholders for their views.
An official said that the government may be open to reviewing certain clauses of the Bill as it had drawn sharp reactions from a section of media representatives.
As news reports come in on the withdrawal of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, I would like to thank everyone who reported, worked and educated others on its dangerous provisions. This is a broad coalition of diverse individuals, groups and organisations who have…
— Apar (@apar1984) August 12, 2024
BREAKING:
The Indian govt has withdrawn the draft of the Broadcasting Services Bill 2024.
The next time you wonder if your single opinion on social media can make a difference, remember that it can even compel govts to withdraw draft bills. Every single opinion matters!
Note:… https://t.co/ObS47QtWd3 pic.twitter.com/NREauEHblK
— Nayini Anurag Reddy (@NAR_Handle) August 12, 2024
The ministry of information and broadcasting on Monday has withdrawn the latest draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 by asking all stakeholders to return physical copies given to them.
Victory for the people & the alternate media✌️ https://t.co/FBUcSnxUqT
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) August 12, 2024
Bill Had Come Under Attack From Congress, Opposition
The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill had come under severe attack from the Congress and the Opposition.
“The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill is a direct threat to our freedom of speech and independent media,” Congress leader and member of CWC, Pawan Khera had posted on X.
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:
▪️Increased government control over content creators, from social media influencers to… pic.twitter.com/RWT1hpecUM
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) August 2, 2024
Explained: Controversy Surrounding New Broadcasting Bill
“Content creators who monetize their platforms face the same stringent regulations as traditional broadcasters. This discourages new entrants and harms the economic viability of independent creators, this is exactly how the government finished the crypto market in India,” the Congress leader had said in his criticism of the Bill.