The Broadcast Services Regulation Bill, that was much-criticised in the media for its 'Draconian' provisions, will be tabled in the Budget session of Parliament with little changes.
NEW DELHI: The Broadcast Services Regulation Bill, that was much-criticised in the media for its 'Draconian' provisions will be tabled in the Budget session of Parliament with little changes.
"We will table the Bill toward the end of the session," Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Minister PR Dasmunsi told.
The draft of the Bill has been shared with the media and entertainment industry. Dasmunsi said, "Not many changes will be made," upon being asked whether the government will tone down some of the provisions in the Bill.
The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, whose draft was made available to stakeholders last year, drew severe flak from the media as it appeared to give sweeping powers to the government to take control of and manage private broadcasting channels in certain eventualities.
The Bill also gave powers to authorised officers 'to inspect, search and seize equipment' of media in case of any violation.
However, after protests from the media groups and organisations, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had issued a consultation paper on the proposed Bill.
"The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting proposes to consult the media and broadcasting industry organisations to obtain their response to some of the major issues proposed to be covered in the Broadcasting... Bill," the Ministry said, while inviting comments and suggestions on the measure.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary SK Arora had said the proposals in the draft bill indicated 'the current thinking' in the Ministry and were 'not the final views'.
"These will be further refined after the process of consultation with the media and the broadcasting industry as well as Ministries, thereafter the Cabinet will consider the final contours of the proposed legislation," Arora said.
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