PM defends Broadcasting Bill, says online media must meet same journalistic standards

By Zoila Palma:  During an interview with 7News Belize, Prime Minister John Briceno explained that the Broadcasting bill is to regulate online blogs.

“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. 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 kind of things, and they are collecting revenues. They’re providing kind of like a service to the public and they need to be held to the same journalistic standards,” the Prime Minister explained.

In addition, the PM said that technology has changed, so we can’t continue using the same legislation that was addressing technology of the 1990s.

The Government of Belize also noted that the proposed Bill introduces the concept of a National Online Broadcaster and provides a framework for licensing and exemptions within that category.

Simply posting, sharing content, or going live does not automatically mean a person falls within that category.

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