Confidential
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is conducting closed-door meetings with select stakeholders about the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.
New drafts of the Bill are shared with unique watermarks to track leaks.
Limited Distribution
Only a few stakeholders receive the latest drafts, under strict confidentiality.
The public is not widely consulted despite the 2014 Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy advocating for extensive outreach.
Exclusion
Online content creators and independent voices are largely left out of the consultation process.
Significant parts of the media industry are not included in discussions about the Bill.
Civil society groups, which could provide valuable perspectives, are not involved.
Expansion of Regulatory Framework
The Bill proposes to broaden an existing regulatory framework criticized for limiting free expression.
Existing regulations, like the IT Rules, 2021, have already led to self-censorship on OTT platforms.
Consultation
The selective consultation process may be a deliberate strategy to control policy influence.
The lack of broad consultation risks diminishing public trust in the legislative process.
Limited consultation can result in flawed and exclusionary legislation.
Need for Diverse Input
Previous policy changes have been criticized for inadequate public engagement, highlighting a recurring issue.
Broad public consultation is essential for well-rounded and effective policymaking.
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