News Influencers May Be Classified As Broadcasters In Centre's New Legislation, Details Here

New Delhi: Individuals who regularly post videos on social media, create podcasts, or write about current news events online might be categorized as digital news broadcasters, as per the draft of the broadcasting bill that the government has shared with stakeholders.

What is Broadcast Services Regulation Bill 2024

The Bill aims to replace the existing Cable Television Networks Act of 1995. The Bill has proposed that individuals who regularly post videos on social media, produce podcasts, or write about current affairs online could be designated as digital news broadcasters.

The Broadcast service regulation bill was earlier released for public consultation in November 2023. Bill aimed to unify all broadcasting regulations into a single law. Concerns emerged about whether online news content creators unaffiliated with traditional media or registered digital platforms might be subject to the same obligations as streaming services, referred to as ‘OTT broadcasting services.’ The 2024 draft responds to this issue by introducing a specific category for digital news broadcasters.

Bill Still in Public Feedback Stage

The proposed changes will need to be reviewed by the Union Cabinet before being presented to Parliament. These provisions are part of a comprehensive approach that also establishes new responsibilities for intermediaries and social media platforms concerning streaming services and digital news broadcasters. Additionally, in a significant update from the 2023 draft, the new version includes provisions addressing online advertising.

Concerns of OTT Platforms

The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to exclude OTT platforms from the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2023, as they are distinct from linear broadcasting platforms.

The body mentioned that provisions violate Article 14 of the Indian constitution by treating unequals (broadcasting and streaming) equally. It further does so by disregarding the diverse landscape of online content dissemination and only extending its regulatory ambit to streaming services. “Other platforms like social media, user-generated content hubs, and even websites play a greater and significant role in shaping online experiences of viewers,” it explains. These platforms, however, have not been included in the bill.

The new draft broadens the definition of “news and current affairs programs” to include “text” in addition to the existing formats such as “audio, visual, or audio-visual content, signals, signs, writing, and images” that are “transmitted directly or through a broadcast network.” Furthermore, the definitions of ‘program’ and ‘broadcast’ have been updated to encompass “text” and “text programs.”