NWMI raises alarms over proposed Broadcasting Bill and media freedom

The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), has voiced apprehensions regarding the potential implications of the proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2023.

The NWMI's submission to the Union government highlights concerns about the extensive powers the Bill grants to the government, potentially exerting control over digital and broadcast media in the country.

Expressing its reservations, the NWMI urged the government to reconsider the implementation of the Bill until comprehensive discussions involving all relevant stakeholders take place. In its official statement, the NWMI underscored the transformative impact the Bill could have on the Indian media landscape and emphasised the necessity for careful consideration before its enactment, reported The News Minute.

The proposed Broadcasting Bill aims to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995, intending to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for all forms of broadcasting content, ranging from television to streaming platforms.

The NWMI's submission points out that the Bill, as drafted, grants excessive powers to the government, raising concerns about its impact on the freedom of entertainment and news media in the country.

The NWMI contends that the government's intention to exert control and impose overregulation is contrary to the principles of a robust, independent media and a flourishing entertainment culture. Such measures, according to the NWMI, pose a threat to media freedom, free speech, and creative expression in India, challenging the foundations of mature democracies.

Highlighting specific issues in its detailed submission, the NWMI presented a clause-by-clause analysis, outlining various concerns.

The draft Bill's ambiguous language, particularly in the definition of "news and current affairs programs," raises the potential inclusion of individual YouTubers, social media accounts of professional journalists, and citizen journalists.

The Bill imposes requirements and burdens on news organisations that, while cumbersome for large networks, could prove detrimental to small news operators, possibly forcing them out of business.

The mention of a Program Code and an Advertising Code in the Bill lacks clarity, as the government has not outlined the proposed codes for public feedback.

The absence of clearly defined codes alongside the draft Bill is expected to have a chilling effect on content creators, pushing them to avoid risk-taking due to uncertainty.

The NWMI criticises the Bill for its lack of understanding of news and news organisations, particularly in subjecting the work of newspersons to Content Evaluation Committees (CECs).

The concept of "self-certification" by CECs, as outlined in the Bill, is contested by the NWMI, as it perceives the government's overarching role in the formation of CECs as contradictory to the notion of self-certification.

Unreasonable restrictions on news and entertainment organisations, particularly impacting small, independent news setups financially, are highlighted as a fundamental flaw in the Bill.

The Bill's proposal to establish CECs for OTT platforms, mirroring the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), is criticised for deviating from the recommendations of the Shyam Benegal-led Committee of Experts.

The NWMI points out the enhanced role of the Central Government in media functioning, citing the requirement for the formation of a Broadcast Advisory Council primarily determined by the government.

With the proposed Broadcasting Bill, concerns loom over the potential consequences for media freedom and the diverse landscape of Indian content creation.