Draft Broadcasting Service (Regulation) Bill 2023 is issued for suggestions and comments from the public.

The comprehensive Bill consists six chapters, 48 sections and three Schedules.

Salient features –

Consolidated Legal Framework for the entire sector

Penalty structure linked to financial capacity

Accessibility measures for persons with disabilities

Infrastructure sharing, platform services and right of way

The primary legislation was framed in 1995 – The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995.

Over a period of years, new platforms of DTH, IPTV, OTT and other integrated models have come in the market.  Moreover, there is digitization of the broadcasting sector, particularly cable TV, which are governed by different guidelines and enactments such as Indian Telegram Act, 1885, the Networks Act, 1995 and other relevant laws.