The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has asked stakeholders to return the copies of the controversial Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, that was circulated earlier, three sources told Moneycontrol.

Several stakeholders received calls from the MIB on August 12 asking them to return the physical copies of the draft. It is learnt that the government is 'reconsidering' provisions of the bill.

Moneycontrol has reached out to MIB for comments on the issue, and the article will be updated when a response is received.

The government has held consultations with select groups of stakeholders, although it has not released the draft publicly. The approach has drawn criticism from various groups who are urging the government to release it to the public.

The bill proposes to designate news influencers as digital news broadcaster, and other creators as OTT Broadcasting Service. The draft bill says that within a period of one month from the notification of this proposed legislation, OTT broadcasting service operators and digital news broadcasters will have to provide an intimation to the Union government about their operations.

The bill also proposes several other compliance requirements of creators, a move which has evoked concerns of stifling of freedom of speech and censorship.