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Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2023

Context:

  • The Information & Broadcasting Ministry released the draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2023.

Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill – Key Highlights

  • The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill aims to bring a consolidated legal framework for the broadcasting sector and extend it to OTT content, digital news, and current affairs as well.

Key features of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2023:

  • Single legislative framework: The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill provides regulatory provisions for various broadcasting services under a single legislative framework. 
    • It seeks to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 and other policy guidelines currently governing the broadcasting sector in India.
  • Expansion of regulatory ambit: The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill extends its regulatory purview to encompass broadcasting OTT content, digital news and, current affairs currently regulated through the IT Act, 2000. 
    • It also includes provisions for emerging broadcasting technologies.
  • Comprehensive definitions: It provides definitions for contemporary broadcasting terms along with other important technical terms to be defined in the statute for the first time.
  • Advisory bodies: It introduces ‘Content evaluation committees’ for self-regulation and ‘Broadcast Advisory Council’ to “advise the central government on programme code and advertisement code violations.
  • Penalties: It provides statutory penalties like advisory, warning, censure, or monetary penalties, for operators and broadcasters. 
    • Provision for imprisonment and/or fines is also there, but only for very serious offences, such as obtaining registration with a false affidavit.
    • Monetary penalties and fines are linked to the financial capacity of the entity, taking into account their investment and turnover to ensure fairness and equity.
  • Inclusive and accessible: It promotes the use of subtitles, audio descriptors, and sign language. The Bill has a provision for appointing a Disability Grievance officer.
  • Infrastructure sharing: It also has provisions for infrastructure sharing among broadcasting network operators and carriage of platform services. 
  • Right of Way: The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill “streamlines the ‘Right of Way’ section to address relocation and alterations more efficiently, and establishes a structured dispute resolution mechanism.

Significance

  • Revamping the broadcasting sector: It modernizes the broadcasting sector’s regulatory framework, replacing outdated Acts, Rules, and Guidelines with a unified, future-focused approach.
  • Embracing the digital revolution: It adapts to the dynamic world of OTT, Digital Media, DTH, and more, promoting technological advancement and service evolution.

News Source: Indian Express

 

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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