| NEW
DELHI: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting C M Jatua said today
that the decision on a regulatory mechanism for television channels would be taken
within government guidelines and after due deliberations with various stakeholders.
Jatua said that while the government was determined that there should
be a regulatory mechanism to check the telecasting of programmes which are not
in the interest of society, any decision will be taken after examining all aspects
and recommendations made by various stakeholders and the committee set up by the
Ministry in 2007.
Speaking
at the 20th foundation day celebrations of the All India Radio station, he said
"there should be a regulatory body to control telecasting of programmes which
are not in the interest of the society... The print media already has a regulatory
body in the form of Press Council of India."
The Minister was responding
to a question relating to programmes like ‘Balika Vadhu’ on Colors,
and ‘Sach ka saamna’ on Star Plus. After notice was issued to Star India,
the timing of ‘Sach ka Saamna’ was shifted to a late night hour –
11 pm.
I&B Secretary Raghu Menon is already engaged in deliberations
with various stakeholders on giving a final shape to the Broadcast Services Regulation
Bill, which has provision for a regulatory body. Though
the Prasar Bharati Act 1990 also had provision for a Broadcasting Council, it
was never implemented and the Government in 1997 said a comprehensive broadcast
legislation would be brought forward which would include a regulatory body. However,
the matter has been pending since then, though several Groups of Ministers and
I&B Ministry officials have studied the issue, including the passing of a
Convergence Bill with a Convergence Council. | 
