Broadcasting Regulation Bill: Centre Opts For Withdrawal!

When the Union Government announced the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill it created a big uproar due to many fears and concerns. There was an opinion that the bill aims at monitoring the content on OTT and social media platforms. Now there is a big twist with the Government taking a big decision.

The Ministry took a big U-turn on this and said that the bill was withdrawn. Taking to social media the Ministry announced the big decision. The reason the Ministry gave is due to the suggestions and recommendations that came from the stakeholders.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that it is working on a Draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill which will be uploaded soon. Based on the suggestions received from various associations the decision was taken.

The Ministry has been staging meetings with various stakeholders. Based on the suggestions the decision was taken. However, there is no clarity on the suggestions that came from the stakeholders.

It is said that recently a crucial meeting was held between the Ministry and a few stakeholders. In the crucial meeting, the stakeholders are said to have placed their doubts over the bill and the concerns they have. A few recommendations were also made reportedly. Considering this the Ministry is said to have decided to withdraw the bill.

Monitoring OTT platform content is a long-standing demand as a few controversies erupted over the language used and the type of content that is being pushed. When the Bill was introduced a section of people supported it. However, the concerns started to grow with reports of possible control over the social media content as well.

“In response, multiple recommendations/ comments/ suggestions were received including from various Associations. Ministry is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders on the draft bill.,” the Ministry said on social media.