The proposed Broadcasting Act, 2026 was released to stakeholders last week Thursday, and it promises sweeping changes to the information landscape, including online broadcasters, streaming services, and social media content creators who will now face unprecedented government oversight and license requirements.
The landmark legislation officially expands the legal definition of "broadcasting" beyond traditional radio and television to cover internet-dependent digital platforms, Over-The-Top services, and "National Online Broadcasters" targeting Belizean audiences for commercial gain. Attorney Marissa Longsworth discussed the exemptions to this:
Ms. Marissa Longsworth, Attorney-at-Law
"Exemptions are to be prescribed for national online broadcasters to consider that licenses should only be those that meet criteria such as commercial benefits of the broadcast, audience size, availability and accessibility to the broadcast, and frequency. So the way this act will work is that once you broadcast online, you will fall within this act. The question comes whether you should be licensed for that purpose. And how does the BBA decide who should be licensed or not? Let's say, for example, I have something to say to the public. I go on Facebook and I go live, but I have, I don't know, maybe 900 friends. I have never gone further than that on Facebook, right?"
"So in this sort of situation, I could go live to my 900 friends. Maybe 20 of them will watch my live. It is limited, the public can't view my page, the public can't view my live. So if you report me to the BBA, the BBA will look at that and say, 'Well, how many people did Marissa reach during that live? How many times did Marissa do a broadcast? Did she do a weekly podcast show? She has sponsors? BTL is sponsoring her credit or, you know? Is there a commercial benefit being derived from her online podcast?' That is a consideration. 'How frequent does she broadcast?' That is a consideration. 'Who has access to her broadcast? Is it the general public? Is it a special group? Is it a very small group?' That is a consideration."
Under the new framework, online outlets and digital content creators generating ad or sponsorship revenue from Belizeans will no longer operate in a regulatory vacuum; they must now obtain an official license or secure an explicit exemption from the Belize Broadcasting Authority.
