Indian government withdraws broadcasting bill, pledges more consultation

​​​​​​​By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - India withdrew a draft law on broadcasting services after it triggered criticism about fears the government was trying to take greater control of online control, according to media reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has, however, pledged to expand the scope of consultations before proposing a new draft.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the bill was placed in the public domain last November along with the “explanatory notes for comments of the stakeholders and the general public,” said the Hindustan Times newspaper.

“In response, multiple recommendations/ comments/ suggestions were received including from various Associations. The Ministry is holding a series of consultations with the stakeholders on the draft bill,” it wrote on X.

It said, however, the ministry is providing additional time to “solicit comments/ suggestions” until Oct. 15 and a “fresh draft will be published after detailed consultations.”

The bill, which sought to replace the 1995 Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, had received criticism from several stakeholders.

“The new provisions of the broadcast bill have far reaching consequences for press and creative freedom, the operational viability of digital content creators and the broader implications for India’s digital economy,” the DIGIPUB News India Foundation, an India-based coalition of digital news media entities, said last week.

Seeking more suggestions on the bill also comes as the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government lost its majority in the parliament following general elections earlier this year.​​​​​​​