| The broadcast regulator, which was earlier part of
the Convergence Communication Bill that has been junked by the government
for all practical purposes, would come into existence through a separate
Act of Parliament. This was stated by a senior government official
today.
Pointing out that various broadcast-related issues (like CAS, DTH,
HITS) are "creeping" on the government, justifying formation
of a separate broadcast regulator, the government official today
told few journalists, "We are looking into various suggestions,
including those furnished by Ficci (Federation of Indian Chamber
of Commerce and Industry), to see how in the interim a regulatory
mechanism can be set up."
The proposed regulator would look into matters like licencing,
equity structuring (in areas where caps have been outlined) and
content on TV.
But, more significantly, the regulator would not have the "final
say" on issues with the ultimate authority resting with the
government, the official said, adding, "especially in areas
like shareholding patterns of a company and licencing, the government
would like to have the last say."
If this is the structure that the government is looking while setting
up a broadcast regulatory authority, it seems that the proposed
regulator would be more of a toothless tiger, something on the lines
of the Press Council of India, which monitors the print medium.
The official also made it clear that the need for a regulator is
felt more in recent times as neither the information and broadcasting
ministry nor any other part of the government has the time or the
logistics for such activities. "There is certainly a demand
building up (for a broadcast regulator)," the official added.
The proposed regulatory authority is likely to a chairman and 10
members on the board. Out of the 10, five are likely to be part-time
and one would be member secretary (ex-officio). The last one is
expected to be a government representative in the proposed regulatory
body.
Meanwhile, the consultative committee of parliamentarians attached
to the I&B ministry is slated to meet here tomorrow. Agenda:
content on television. The issue has been in the news for the last
10 days after I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad recently said
that the government would like all TV channels, barring news channels,
to show programmes that are certified, or can be certified, 'U'
(fit for people below 18 years of age).
On Monday, Prasad beat a hasty retreat saying that he "respects"
celluloid creativity and that the government does not propose to
do anything extra that is already not there in various Acts and
rules and regulations.
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