IFF raises alarm over secret changes to draft Broadcasting Services Bill
New Delhi: The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has raised concerns over undisclosed alterations to the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, which imposes additional regulatory demands on online news and entertainment platforms.
According to the IFF, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has met only “selective industry representatives,” excluding civil society, journalists, and other crucial stakeholders, as reported by The Hindu. This move has sparked concerns about increased censorship on digital platforms.
The only publicly released version of the Bill, open for the public to comment, has stated that it is an attempt to replace the decades-old Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. It mandates that streaming services establish “content evaluation committees” to pre-screen content before it is released. Additionally, the Bill proposes the formation of a Broadcast Advisory Council, including government representatives, to address complaints against broadcasters. These requirements could also extend to streaming platforms and online influencers through a notification from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Hindu has obtained one of the revised versions of the Bill but is withholding its publication due to embedded markers that could reveal the identity of the draft's recipients.
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Power struggle in ruling Cong has 'created massive confusion' in Karnataka: BJP leader Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday claimed that the ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar has created massive confusion in Karnataka.
He remarked that the proverb “when two people fight, the third one benefits” has come true, as AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is also now making efforts to become Chief Minister.
Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka said the entire government has turned into a house of confusion due to the alleged power tussle.
Kharge’s new statement has only added to the chaos, he said.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had on Friday said that no date has been fixed yet to discuss possible leadership change in Karnataka.
This came a day after Kharge said there was no change of CM in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state would be resolved soon.
The BJP leader said that Kharge too has aspirations and that he was cheated earlier.
"Perhaps he has received a green signal from the Congress high command to become CM. Everyone is already saying Kharge should become CM. Kharge himself has declared, “I am ready to become CM.” Despite many attempts in the past, he never became CM. Now he is trying to seize the opportunity," the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly said.
According to him, the situation in Congress has perfectly become a case of “two people fighting, third one benefits.”
