Draft broadcast bill unleashes concerns

The draft Broadcast Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, floated by the ministry of information and broadcasting earlier this month, has sparked concerns around the creative freedom of streaming platforms.

- Lata Jha

Several provisions appear to border on censorship, which OTT (over-the-top) services have so far been exempted from. Further, while there is no clarity on penalties for non-compliance with several draft provisions loosely worded for now, risks for platforms have increased manifold with seizure of equipment of broadcasting services also included in the Bill.

The formation of the Broadcast Advisory Council-to hear complaints regarding violation of the Programme Code or Advertisement Code is also being questioned, since it shall comprise representatives of the government itself.