Standing Committee urges government to fast-track broadcasting bill amid delays

A parliamentary panel has urged the government to set a clear timeline for introducing the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill in Parliament, after it was shelved last year due to opposition from media stakeholders over certain provisions aimed at regulating individual content creators.

The recommendation from the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, comes as the government prepares to celebrate content creators at the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1-4.

In its sixth report tabled in the Lok Sabha this week, the panel directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to "set a deadline for completing the entire process (of stakeholder consultation) and introduce the 'Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill' in Parliament at the earliest."

Growing Pressure for Media Regulations

The call for urgency also coincides with the Supreme Court's recent intervention in content regulation. While hearing a case involving YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia over comments made on the comedy show India’s Got Latent, the apex court urged the government to take steps toward regulating OTT platforms.

According to the ministry, consultations with stakeholders—initially set to conclude on October 15, 2024—will be followed by drafting a new bill, which will then undergo inter-ministerial scrutiny before submission to the Cabinet. The ministry assured the committee that updates would be provided as the process unfolds.

Delays and Stakeholder Opposition

The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, was first made public on November 10, 2023, inviting feedback until December 9, later extended to January 15, 2024. However, a second draft, shared selectively in July 2024, proposed extending OTT platform regulations to all news content creators, including independent digital creators.

This move triggered a backlash from media stakeholders, who objected to the vague wording and feared that the bill would grant excessive control to government authorities. As a result, the ministry withdrew the second draft in August 2024, promising a revised version after broader consultations.

Lawmakers Demand Clarity

With more than three months passing since additional time was granted for stakeholder input, the committee stressed the need for a structured approach. "The committee calls upon the ministry to set a deadline for completing the entire process and introduce the 'Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill' in Parliament at the earliest," the report stated.

Industry experts argue that the prolonged delay has left India’s broadcasting sector in a regulatory vacuum, with outdated laws struggling to address the challenges posed by digital platforms. As pressure mounts from both lawmakers and the judiciary, the government may have to accelerate its efforts to finalize the bill and bring it before Parliament.