JioStar's Kevin Vaz Urges Overhaul of India's Stifling Broadcast Regulations

In a powerful address at the recent FICCI Frames event, Kevin Vaz, CEO of JioStar, delivered a stark warning about the future of India's broadcasting sector, advocating for an urgent and comprehensive review of its deeply entrenched regulatory burdens. Vaz articulated a compelling case, arguing that the existing labyrinth of rules and policies is not only stifling growth and innovation but also severely impeding the industry's ability to compete on a global stage.

Vaz minced no words in describing India's broadcasting landscape as one of the most heavily regulated worldwide.

He contended that this over-regulation forces broadcasters into a 'lowest common denominator' approach, severely curtailing creative freedom and making it incredibly challenging to craft diverse and engaging content. The ripple effect, he explained, is a sector that struggles to attract crucial investment and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with less-regulated digital streaming platforms and international tech giants.

Among the key pain points highlighted by Vaz were the stringent content guidelines, which often lead to self-censorship and a homogenization of programming.

He also pointed to the restrictive 12-minute per hour advertisement cap, a policy that significantly crimps revenue streams and limits the financial firepower needed for content development and technological upgrades. Furthermore, the complexities and unintended consequences of pricing regulations, such as the New Tariff Order (NTO), were brought under scrutiny, with Vaz asserting that they have fueled litigation, reduced consumer choice, and generally hampered market evolution rather than fostering it.

The JioStar chief issued a fervent call to action for the government to modernize these outdated regulations.

He passionately argued for the creation of a level playing field across all media platforms, stressing that a more equitable and flexible regulatory environment is essential to unlock the full potential of India's broadcasting industry. Vaz emphasized the critical need for a collaborative dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers, envisioning a partnership that could forge policies designed to encourage robust investment, ignite creativity, and ensure sustainable growth.

Vaz's plea underscores a broader concern within the industry: without significant reform, India risks squandering immense opportunities in terms of job creation, cultural enrichment, and global market leadership.

His compelling address serves as a clarion call for a strategic re-evaluation, aiming to liberate the broadcasting sector from its regulatory shackles and propel it into an era of unprecedented growth and innovation.