Netizens raised concerns and slam government that the Broadcasting bill is set to regulate people's opinions and restrict freedom of speech.
The new draft of the Broadcasting (Services and Regulation) Bill replacing the Cable Television Networks Act of 1995 raises concern about whether the revamp is generally focused on public service as it shows the increasing government’s control over broadcasting platforms. According to reports, the new version of the bill has not been made public and is alleged that the reason behind is the government does not want people to know about the content of the bill.
It was said that the second draft is secretly shared with some stakeholders and hasn’t been released in public domains which further adds conspiracies to the new version of the bill.
As per the new draft of the broadcasting bill which the government shared with the stakeholders, it is said that influencers and other content creators are classified as digital news broadcasters.
This might restrict people from posting content they can share on social media platforms. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & IT stated that the bill is in the drafting stage and feedback from the public will be taken before it is released and effective officially.
But the secrecy triggers common people that official meetings are happening here and there but no common man has been involved or acknowledged as the undertaking signs and bill copy were not shown to anybody than some selected stakeholders and authorities.
Read, also| The Broadcasting Services Bill Is Still At The Drafting Stage: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
This triggers content creators and compatriots that the government repeats history keeping control over people’s voice and its scares every citizen in the country. Jawhar Sircar, Rajya Sabha MP of Trinamool Congress posted on X that Modi is going to gag everyone who is panicking to see the new broadcasting bill and the secrets lies under it.
Panic-Stricken Modi to Gag Everyone!
Under Modi’s recent Telecom Act
& New Broadcasting Law:
All Digital News, OTT, YouTube Commentators, News Influencers & Every Popular Media Communication
— classified as ‘broadcasters’, controlled, punished!https://t.co/mhFIcPpXda pic.twitter.com/923ypCkZ7P— Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) July 26, 2024
Netizens raised concerns and slammed the government that the Broadcasting bill is set to regulate people’s opinions and restrict freedom of speech. The bill triggers content creators that the new draft may intensify control over digital platforms governing social media infrastructure and citizens’ choices.
🚨attention, content creators in India 🚨
the broadcasting bill is coming to regulate you all, and we don’t have any say in it
after controlling the narrative through all media except creators, the govt is now coming for you
speak up ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/05DPD1rY7k
— Chetan Kale (@chetankale_) July 27, 2024
This bill raises questions about the influence of the government on news accounts, livestream channels, independent profiles, freelancers, journalists and other content creators as this drastic move could worsen the lives of people without being able to express their own opinions on public platforms.
Since the #StopBroadcastingBill hashtags are trending as it is being into serious discussions stating that the Bill is going to affect many, constraining their voice over authoritarian power.
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