Broadcast Services Bill may cover user-generated content on social media

If passed, content created by creator "professionals" on social media platforms like YouTube will be regulated by both MIB and MeitY

by e4m Staff
Published: Jun 17, 2024 2:37 PM | 2 min read

The government is reportedly mulling a new proposal to be added to the Broadcast Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023. The proposal is to regulate User Generated Content put out by ‘professional creators’ on social media under this bill.

The draft of the Broadcast Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, was introduced by the government last year to regulate the broadcasting sector, which is also applicable to the streaming giants. The bill suggested official certification and a regulatory committee, potentially stifling artistic freedom, stakeholders have said according to media reports.

It proposed the formation of individual content evaluation committees with members from various social groups who will review and sign off on shows before they are released. It is to be noted that all films in Indian cinemas are reviewed and certified by a government-appointed board, whereas streamed content is not.

As of now under the IT rules that were issued by the government, social media content regulation comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). However, when the new proposal is passed, such content created by creator "professionals" on social media platforms like YouTube will be regulated by both the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and MeitY.

There still exists ambiguity around definitions of who or what constitutes professional creators and content, and scope and scale of the regulation that would potentially require millions of creators to be registered under the BSR act. The role and responsibilities of digital platforms like Google and Meta also remain unanswered as of now.