A private member's Bill that seeks to provide for establishment of an independent authority for the regulation and licensing of media services in the country has been cleared for consideration by the Rajya Sabha, a bulletin of the House noted.
The Indian Media Services (Regulation and Licensing) Bill, 2024, a private member's bill by CPI(M) MP V Sivadasan, provides for establishing an independent authority -- the Indian Board of Media Services -- for the regulation and licensing of media services "to facilitate development of free and independent media services in the country".
According to the bulletin, Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister for information and broadcasting, communicated to the Rajya Sabha secretary-general that the president has recommended the consideration of the Bill to the House.
Private members' Bills involving expenditure from the exchequer require the President's permission through the ministry concerned on whether such bills can be considered by the House.
The Indian Media Services (Regulation and Licensing) Bill says the Central government shall, within six months of the commencement of the Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish for the purposes of the Act, an autonomous body to be known as the Indian Board for Media Services, to regulate the functioning of media services and foster free and independent media services in the country.
It also says the Union government shall, after due appropriation made by the Parliament by law on this behalf, make to the Board grants of such sums of money as the Union government may think fit for carrying out the purposes of the Act.
In the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, Sivadasan has argued independent media that plays an impartial role in the dissemination of news and information to the public at large is crucial for the functioning of a healthy democracy, and licensing powers being a monopoly in the hands of the Executive often results in a pliant media, as journalists will hesitate to criticise the ruling dispensation for fear of legal hazards.
