Bihar govt to bring new laws for social media, Cabinet approves bill

The Bihar government is set to introduce new regulations governing social media and online platforms. The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved a proposal for the "Bihar Social Media and Other Online Media Rules, 2024" during a cabinet meeting held on Thursday. This new policy aims to leverage the influence of social media and web portals to facilitate government publicity and public awareness programs.

In this cabinet meeting, which included 38 agenda items, the Department of Information and Public Relations proposed the policy update, building on the Bihar Web Media Policy 2021. Department sources explained that social media platforms, news portals, and other online media have become essential tools for disseminating information, enabling the government to communicate its policies and welfare programs more effectively to the public.

Key Points of the New Policy: The Bihar Social Media and Other Online Media Rules, 2024, outline that the government can now utilize popular platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X, and websites to broadcast its initiatives. This effort is part of a broader strategy to adapt to the evolving media landscape, where online platforms offer vast reach and engagement potential.

The web media policy includes an updated classification for news portals based on their user base. Websites with over 50 lakh monthly users will be categorized as Group A, while those with 20 to 50 lakh users fall under Group B. These classifications will guide the state’s advertising strategy, allowing for targeted placement of government-sponsored content.

Amendments and Expansions: The revised policy will replace the earlier framework set out in 2021, under which the Department of Information and Public Relations is responsible for the publication of government announcements, advertisements, and other information. The new social media policy is expected to streamline these processes further and ensure that official information reaches a broader audience across Bihar.

The policy update reflects the government's commitment to leveraging modern communication channels, aiming to make its public outreach efforts more effective in the digital era.