The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is learned to have withdrawn the new draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, which triggered a controversy and criticism over fears that the government was trying to exert greater control over online content. The draft Bill had raised several questions on the freedom of speech and expression, and the government’s powers to regulate it.
Last month, the ministry had shared the new draft Bill with a handful of stakeholders and invited their comments.
At least three sources, including a senior government official and two industry executives, confirmed to The Indian Express that the ministry has now asked the stakeholders to return the draft Bill. The stakeholders received a call from the ministry to return their copies of the draft Bill, said sources.
The ministry is expected to go back to the drawing board and work on a new proposal, said sources.
The ministry did not respond to requests for a comment on the issue. But, in a statement posted on X at night, the ministry referred to an earlier draft Bill placed in public domain in November last year, and said it “is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders” and is offering them “further additional time” till October 15 to issue their comments. “A fresh draft will be published after detailed consultations,” it said.
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