TV broadcasters and streaming platforms are concerned about the potential impact on their creative freedom from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s (MIB) proposed legislation that would require them to get content certified by an evaluation committee before broadcasting it.

As part of its three-tier regulatory mechanism to regulate broadcasting content, the ministry has proposed that each broadcaster and broadcasting network operator should set up content evaluation committees (CECs) and only those programs certified by CECs should be broadcast, Economic Times reported.

The committee’s members would include eminent individuals representing different social groups, including women, child welfare, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and minorities.

The central government may specify the number of members in the panel, the quorum required, and other details to assist the establishment and smooth operation of the CEC.

The proposal would not only impact the creative freedom of the broadcasters and OTT platforms but also push up costs and may even prove unfeasible considering the amount of content created, industry experts said.

TMT Law Practice managing partner Abhishek Malhotra said the creative judgment of broadcasters and OTT platforms will be subjected to another review, which may not be acceptable to content creators.

“There will also be an issue of sharing content before it’s proposed for public release—fear of disclosure,” he said.

An MIB official, on condition of anonymity, said the ministry wants to strengthen self-regulation through this move, adding that the broadcasters will have freedom in running the CECs.