Gov’t proposes licensing framework for online broadcasters

BELMOPAN (CMC):

Prime Minister John Briceño has defended Belize’s proposed Broadcasting Bill, arguing that it is intended to regulate revenue-generating online news platforms rather than restrict free expression.

The legislation, which remains in the consultation phase, would require certain social media-based news operators to meet standards similar to those applied to established media houses.

“There’s nothing about censorship. I don’t know how you can come to that. I think the big thing about the broadcasting authority is, now all of these online media blogs or whatever that are taking advertisements and everything, they have to be held to the same standards that you are being held,” Briceño said.

He argued that traditional media organisations were at a disadvantage when competing with bloggers and online content creators, who were not subject to the same journalistic obligations.

“You all are at a disadvantage competing with these bloggers. These bloggers go online and they hear something and just put it out there without even checking if it is so or not so and all kinds of things, and they are collecting revenues,” he added.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Government of Belize Press Office said the proposed bill “introduces the concept of a National Online Broadcaster and provides a framework for licensing and exemptions within that category”.

The statement stressed that “Simply posting, sharing content, or going live does not automatically mean a persons fall within that category”, noting that the legislation “provides for exemption criteria to help determine when licensing requirements may apply to National Online Broadcasters”.

According to the government, the aim is to create a modern broadcasting framework “that reflects today’s media landscape while recognising that not every online activity is treated the same”.

The statement added that the bill would also allow the authority to prescribe exemption criteria for certain National Online Broadcasters.

Briceño told reporters that bloggers providing a public service should be held to the same journalistic standards as established media outlets.

“Technology has changed, so we can’t continue using the same legislation that was addressing technology of the 1990s. We have to keep up with that, so it has absolutely nothing to do with censorship,” Briceño added.