Daily Editorial Analysis:-

Broadcast Regulation 3.0, commissions and omissions

Source The Hindu https://epaper.thehindu.com/reader

Editorial

GS2, Polity

Background

• The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill released in November by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) is part of an arc of endeavors to regulate broadcasting in an integrated manner. The last initiative to take on this ambitious task was back in 2007, in the form of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill.

What are the Concerns associated with the Bill?

• Violation of Privacy of subscribers and audiences in such practices of data collection
• First, it obliges broadcasting network operators and broadcasters to maintain records of subscriber data, and subject this to periodic external audits, as is the international norm.
• Second, the Bill seeks to stipulate a methodology for audience measurement, and the sale of ratings data. Both mechanisms will bring the much needed transparency in the opaque value chain of the cable and satellite television business in our country.
• Third, the provision to permit private actors in terrestrial broadcasting will encourage competition to Doordarshan, the state broadcaster, as is in many G­20 countries.
• Adding OTT content providers to the definition of broadcasting services could lead to disputes over jurisdiction between ministries.
• Impact on The Press Entities: limits the opportunities available to journalists and news organizations that are not connected to major television networks, which may restrict their ability to pursue careers in these fields.
• Committee for Content Evaluation: creating questions about the viability, affordability, and desirability of requiring an internal body for news programming self-certification.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Proposes Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023

The draft Bill provides for a consolidated framework to regulate the broadcasting services in the country and seeks to replace the existing Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act,… pic.twitter.com/m9x5cXzkNx

— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 14, 2023

Importance of the Bill

• Restructuring the broadcast industry: It updates the industry’s regulatory structure by substituting an integrated, forward-looking strategy for antiquated Acts, Rules, and Guidelines.
• Embracing the digital revolution: It advances technology and fosters the evolution of services by adjusting to the dynamic world of OTT, digital media, DTH, and more.

Way Forward

• For effective and balanced regulation, the Bill needs to address jurisdictional conflicts, include privacy safeguards, and reevaluate invasive provisions. Prioritizing the protection of press freedom and diversity should involve correcting any omissions and fine-tuning potentially beneficial provisions.
• Global regulations: According to an analysis of OTT regulations across several nations, the majority of them still lack a well-defined legislative framework.
• The Infocomm Media Development Authority is Singapore’s central media regulatory body. Its approach to media regulation places a strong emphasis on advancing media literacy through public education in addition to enacting a legislative framework and encouraging industry self-regulation.

DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL: Analysis | The Hindu/IE | 01st Dec 2023 | DHI Academy | Civil Services | UPSC