Broadcasting bill might not be tabled in the inaugural parliament session

After the staggering success of news platforms and news content creators native to social media during the elections, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed to regulate them directly under the new Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, which is currently in its drafting stage.

The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill will not be tabled in the inaugural session of the new parliament that will take place at the end of this month.

The consultation process for the bill continues to be ongoing, wherein the industry submitted its third round of comments on the draft bill. In November last year, the MIB released its first draft of the broadcasting bill for the public, inviting their comments.

This move aims to bring social media-based news platforms and content creators under a formal regulatory framework similar to traditional broadcasting services. The proposed regulation is driven by the need to ensure that these platforms adhere to certain standards and guidelines, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the information being disseminated.

The Ministry's initiative reflects the growing influence of digital media and the need to adapt regulatory measures to address the challenges and opportunities presented by new forms of news dissemination.

This proposal reflects the Ministry's intent to bring social media-based news platforms and content creators under a formal regulatory framework similar to traditional broadcasting services. The move is seen as necessary to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and accountability of news disseminated through these increasingly influential digital channels.