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During the passage of the CAS Bill in the Rajya Sabha (Indian parliament's
Upper House) on 10 December, she stated that if the members of the
Parliament so desired, then the government could have a debate on
the issue of FDI in broadcasting medium.
Replying to a query raised by one of the Rajya Sabha MPs, Swaraj
said, "You can give notice to the deputy chairman (of the House)
and if all of you want, we can have a debate on the issue (of FDI
in broadcasting medium)."
Foreign direct investment in broadcasting has been a big taboo
in the Indian context with xenophobic politicians stating that the
natives' minds will end up being controlled by foreign media barons
and governments.
For almost five decades the government had depended on a Cabinet
decision to stop foreign investment in print or any other media.
That blockade had been lifted earlier this year by Swaraj who persuaded
the government to allow foreign companies to invest 26 per cent
in general interest publications and 74 per cent in special interest
niche publications.
Swaraj's statement today almost appears to be an invitation to
make the BJP-led coalition government look at the issue of FDI in
broadcasting afresh. Now it is up to somebody to prod some of the
members of the Parliament to spark off the debate. And who knows,
possibly, the 'miracle' lady may well work another miracle!
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