The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently released the second draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2024, which brings OTT platforms like YouTube under its scope. Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, stated that the YouTube team is part of the consultative process and is currently analyzing the Bill.
According to the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2024, the new law will apply to content creators, both large and small, with a threshold of more than 1 million subscribers, including news and non-news, and both Indian and non-Indian citizens. India being one of the largest market for YouTube, has 11,000 Indian channels with over a million subscribers.
Additionally, platforms such as YouTube and other OTT platforms must keep the government informed about their subscriber base by registering with self-regulatory bodies and ensuring that content is screened before publishing. Both platforms and content creators need to have a Grievance Redressal Mechanism and provide sign-language content. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to ₹1 crore and up to five years in jail.
Speaking about the recent Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2024, which the Indian government is seeking to replace the thirty-year-old Cable TV Networks Act 1995 with, Neal Mohan told CNBC TV18 that it is still too early to comment and that the YouTube team is reviewing the bill.
“We are looking forward to the consultative process with the government and continuing those conversations. So that’s probably the most I would be able to say about that. My team is obviously going through the analysis of it as well,” Mohan added.
He said that YouTube will continue to abide by the laws of any country and if there is a certain law that requires compliance, the platform will do so. YouTube, as a platform, has always been a pioneer in moderating its content and maintaining high standards of authenticity.
Elaborating on the platform’s Ethical Code of Conduct, Mohan said, “We are an open platform, a place where there are all kinds of opinions and all types of speech. We have always had community guidelines, and it’s our job, our responsibility at YouTube, to make sure that our community guidelines stay up to date.”
He further said, “Every quarter, the video-sharing platform takes down millions of videos that violate its community guidelines.”
In its latest report, YouTube stated that it had taken down over 9 million videos in the December 2023 quarter, of which over 8 million were in violation.
“We pride ourselves on being very efficient in terms of removal because they clutter the experience and get in the way of the viewer and creator experiences,” Mohan added.
Neal Mohan also spoke about the platform’s participation with the governments and other stakeholders, saying, “I do think what happens in the world happens on YouTube, and what happens on YouTube does influence what happens in the world, and that is why living up to our responsibility is my top priority. It is a shared goal between the company and the governments of the countries in which YouTube operates.”
The platform works in tandem with all regulators and stakeholders to ensure that users get the most benefit while also ensuring that those users are protected, he added.