Broadcast Bill 2024 | Youtube will be Regulated | InNews | Drishti IAS

Summary

The Indian government is poised to introduce the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024 in Parliament, which aims to regulate digital news broadcasters and online content creators, including social media accounts. The draft bill, previously introduced in 2023, seeks to define and cover a wide range of entities involved in news dissemination, requiring them to inform the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about their operations. The draft also mandates the formation of content evaluation committees to ensure responsible news dissemination, with penalties for non-compliance. The video discusses the implications of these regulations on freedom of speech and compares India's approach with that of Singapore and the USA, highlighting the importance of balancing regulation with democratic principles.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Indian government is preparing to introduce the Broadcasting Service Regulation Bill 2024 in Parliament.
• 🤝 The bill has been shared with various stakeholders, including media and broadcasting organizations, for discussion and feedback.
• 📱 A key provision of the bill is the inclusion of social media accounts and online video creators within its regulatory scope.
• 📺 OTT content and digital news platforms are also being brought under the bill's regulations.
• 🆕 The new draft introduces a category for digital news broadcasters, which includes individuals or entities broadcasting news and current affairs online.
• 🔗 The bill requires digital news broadcasters to notify the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and create content evaluation committees.
• 👥 These committees must ensure representation from various communities, including women, SC/ST groups, and minorities.
• ⚖️ Failure to comply with the bill's provisions could result in fines ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹2.5 crore, depending on the severity and frequency of violations.
• 🌍 The bill's impact is compared to similar regulations in countries like Singapore, which regulates OTT platforms, and the USA, where OTT regulation is not yet established.
• 📝 The script ends with a quiz question related to content evaluation committees and encourages viewers to engage by commenting their answers.

Q & A

What is the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024 about?

The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024 is a draft legislation prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India, aiming to regulate the broadcasting sector, including social media accounts and online video creators, under the purview of the law.

Who are the stakeholders involved in the discussion of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024?

The stakeholders involved in the discussion of the bill include media organizations, broadcasting organizations, companies, and individuals who are part of the broadcasting sector, including social media influencers and online video creators.

What is the controversy surrounding the inclusion of social media accounts and online video creators in the bill?

The controversy lies in the attempt to bring social media accounts and online video creators under the legal framework, which some argue may infringe upon freedom of speech and the diversity of opinions in the media landscape.

What are the responsibilities of digital news broadcasters as defined in the new draft?

Digital news broadcasters are required to provide information about their activities to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, establish a content evaluation committee to assess and evaluate content, and ensure representation from various communities, including women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups.

What are the potential penalties for non-compliance with the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024?

Non-compliance with the bill's provisions can result in penalties, including a fine of up to 50 lakhs for the first violation and up to 2.5 crores for subsequent violations within the next three years.

How does the new draft differentiate from the 2023 draft in terms of defining news and current affairs programs?

The 2023 draft attempted to define news and current affairs programs in terms of recent and noteworthy audio-visual programs, while the 2024 draft introduces a new category called 'Digital News Broadcasters' and provides a broader definition that includes any individual or entity engaged in the organized dissemination of news through various online platforms.

What is the definition of 'organized activity' as mentioned in the draft?

An 'organized activity' refers to any activity where there is planning and continuous operations involved, requiring systematic planning and execution of various activities.

What are the implications of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024 for traditional media organizations?

Traditional media organizations, such as TV channels, are also covered under the bill, and they may be subject to additional regulations and responsibilities to ensure compliance with the new provisions.

How does the draft address the issue of foreign content creators and platforms?

The draft mentions the regulation of foreign content creators and platforms, but it does not provide clear details on how these regulations will be applied to foreign entities.

What are some of the arguments made by experts and critics regarding the potential impact of the bill on democracy and freedom of speech?

Experts and critics argue that the bill may affect democracy by potentially limiting freedom of speech, as regulating channels and content creators could create barriers to expressing diverse opinions, thus weakening the democratic process.

How does the regulation of broadcasting services in India compare to other countries like Singapore and the USA?

In Singapore, traditional broadcasters and OTT platforms are regulated under the Broadcasting Act and Copyright Act, with lighter responsibilities compared to TV broadcasters. In the USA, the Federal Communications Commission regulates radio and television stations, while OTT platforms have not yet fallen under the same regulatory scope.