Dissecting the Broadcasting Bill draft, and super-cheap 5G phones in India

Mint Techcetra

In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, our hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte share their thoughts on the changing world of budget smartphones in India, where people's needs have evolved from just having a basic, affordable phone to wanting devices that can handle everything from streaming videos to taking great photos. With Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 4S Gen 2 chipset set to power smartphones under ₹8,000 and offer 5G connectivity, it seems like high-tech is becoming more accessible than ever. But it makes you wonder—can these budget-friendly smartphones really stand up to the durability and reliability that feature phone users have trusted for years? Are we the publishers ourselves? This question arises as the Broadcasting Services Regulations Bill 2024 makes waves across social media. The bill proposes that individuals who regularly post news and current affairs content on social media platforms could be classified as digital broadcasters, subject to the same regulations as traditional media outlets. This shift blurs the lines between professional journalism and everyday social media activity, sparking concerns about freedom of speech and the responsibilities placed on individuals.