A day after digital publishers approached Minister of Information and Broadcasting Aswhini Vaishnaw with concerns over the broadcast bill, independent digital content creators too have written a letter to the government requesting transparency in the consultation process.
In the letter, addressed to Ashwini Vaishnaw, YouTubers such as Meghnad S, Dhruv Rathee, Abhisar Sharma and Vimoh, have voiced concerns over the second draft of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2024. The letter also questions the opacity in the consultation process and some content of the draft bill.
In the letter, the content creators have expressed that a report from the Hindustan Times on July 26, 2024, claims that a new draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 was distributed secretly to select stakeholders. These stakeholders were required to collect their copies from Shastri Bhawan and were asked not to share it with anyone.
The letter criticizes the “secretive” approach, noting that it excludes key public stakeholders, including digital media content creators and the general public, who are directly impacted by the bill and should have been part of the consultation process. In the letter, the content creators have also expressed dissatisfaction over the way the consultation of the Draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 was conducted.
The content creators, in the letter, also said that due to lack of access to the draft bill, the stakeholders have had to rely on media reports to understand its impact. The “opacity” in governance as highlighted has by itself created a significant fear and uncertainty around the legislation.
As earlier reported by exchange4media, the DIGIPUB News India Foundation, which represents over 90 digital news media entities, commentators, and journalists across India, sent a letter on July 29 to Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. The letter requests a formal meeting to address the foundation’s concerns and suggestions regarding the digital news ecosystem.
The Broadcast Regulation Bill 2023, currently under consultation, has raised concerns among content creators following media reports on July 26, that the new draft bill may classify individuals who regularly post on social media, produce podcasts, or create videos on current affairs as digital news broadcasters.
Some content creators are taking social media platforms expressing their concerns over the bill and asking other content creators to come forward and sign the letter to MIB.
