New Delhi, March 15, 2025 – The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has urged the government to fast-track the introduction of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill in Parliament. The panel emphasized the need for a clear deadline to complete stakeholder consultations and legislative procedures.
The committee, led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, expressed concern over delays, noting that more than three months have passed since the deadline for public feedback on the bill. It highlighted the urgency of enacting comprehensive regulations to address the rapidly evolving media landscape, including television, radio, and digital streaming services.
The draft bill was first released for public consultation in November 2023, followed by a revised version in July 2024 that proposed extending regulations to all news content creators, including independent digital journalists. However, after facing criticism over potential overreach and lack of clarity, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting withdrew the draft in August 2024, promising broader consultations.
In its latest report, the committee has called on the ministry to set a firm deadline for completing consultations and to table the bill in Parliament without further delay. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has assured that after stakeholder consultations, the bill will undergo inter-ministerial review before being presented to the Cabinet for approval.
The panel’s renewed push highlights the urgency of establishing a regulatory framework that balances the interests of traditional broadcasters, digital platforms, and content creators, ensuring clarity and fairness in the industry.-AirMedia Broadcast
