‘BJP government preparing to put a lock on media’: Priyanka Gandhi on broadcast bill

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government is preparing to put a lock on digital media, social media, over-the-top platforms and individuals by introducing the proposed 2023 Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged on Monday.

The bill, which aims to replace the 1995 Cable Television Networks Act and create a consolidated legal framework for the broadcasting sector in India, was made public for stakeholder and public comments on November 10, 2023.

A subsequent version has also been provided confidentially to select stakeholders, according to reports.

Experts have voiced concerns about the draft bill, including the potential for censorship of over-the-top platforms, the regulation of social media accounts and content creators as digital news broadcasters, erosion of the independence of digital media and the lack of clarity with regard to regulation.

On Monday, Vadra said that civil liberties and freedom of the press were the “great legacy of our martyrs and freedom fighters”.

"हमें सबसे पहले स्वतंत्र अभिव्यक्ति और संगठन के अधिकार को हासिल करना चाहिए और इन अधिकारों की रक्षा जान देकर भी करनी चाहिए।"
- महात्मा गांधी (यंग इंडिया, 1922)

"प्रेस की आजादी का मतलब यह नहीं होता कि जो चीजें हम छपी हुई देखना चाहें, सिर्फ उन्हीं की अनुमति दें, इस तरह की आजादी से…— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) August 5, 2024

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