Summary of
the recommendations contained in the Working Paper on National
Media Policy submitted by the Sub-Committee of the Consultative
Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under
the Chairmanship of Shri Ram Vilas Paswan.
(March, 1996)
9.1 The broadcasting should observe a greater degree of responsibility
and sensitivity to Indian culture and ethos and cater to the developmental requirement
of the country. It should achieve an Indian personality in telecasting/ broadcasting.
(Para 6.4.1.1)
9.2 There should be a regulatory body to oversee both public
and private telecasting/ broadcasting. In this connection, the Sub-Committee
noted that the provisions of the Prasar Bharati Apt, which was unanimously passed
by Parliament in 1990 should be kept in mind while framing the regulatory mechanism
which should be an independent autonomous authority. The Sub-Committee is of
confirmed opinion that no recourse should be taken by the Government to dilute
the provision of the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990. This regulatory body may be set
up to ensure adherence to the programmes/ advertisement codes and other stipulations.
This body or similar independent body may also develop an effective mechanism
for public grievance redressal as well as implementation of its recommendations
in respect of such grievances.
(Para 6.4.1.2)
9.3 Adequate care should be taken to enable the setting up
of non-commercial broadcasting stations to be run by universities, educational
institutions, panchayats/ local bodies, State Governments, etc.
(Para 6.4.1.3)
9.4 The Sub-Committee recognises that for public broadcasting,
adequate funding in the form of State support is necessary. The content of programmes
or software is often dictated by the funding and therefore the Sub-Committee
strongly recommends that this aspect should receive the attention of the Government
and an institutionalised system be worked out.
(Para 6.4.1.4)
9.5 The national broadcasters - Akashvani and Doordarshan should
bear the responsibility to offer a high quality public service broadcasting
that informs, educates and entertains the people and also provide coverage to
national events like the Republic Day Parade. Taking into account the reach
of the national broadcasters, primacy and exclusive responsibility should be
provided to them in the matter of coverage of national events like Republic
Day Parade, Independence Day, the President's Address to both the Houses of
Parliament, etc.
(Para 6.4.1.5)
9.6 The rights/ obligations and exclusivity of the national
broadcasters should be codified through law.
(Para 6.4.1.6)
9.7 Whereas the board policy approach should be the same for
radio and television, minor variations/ differences can be made in view of the
difference in reach and impact of the two media. Programme/ advertisement codes
should be similar, if not, same. The viewer/ listener interest should be kept
in mind while spacing the advertisements. A new production style, which is people-oriented
should be developed.
(Para 6.4.1.7)
9.8 In tune with the policy framework suggested here, the Indian
private sector/ State Government/ NG0s/ Local Self Government should be allowed
to enter the field of broadcasting/ telecasting.
(Para 6.4.1.8)
9.9 Appropriate provisions must be made to ensure that the
control of private broadcasting does not fall in the hands of companies having
major stake in the print medium or vice-versa. Cross-media ownership restrictions
must, therefore, be considered.
(Para 6.4.1.9)
9.10 Direct or indirect foreign equity participation in companies
entering the field of private broadcasting should not be permitted.
(Para 6.4.1.10)
9.11 Access on the private channel should be available to the
common man through appropriate provisions in the law.
(Para 6.4.1.11)
9.12 In view of the Supreme Court's Judgement on airwaves,
an independent authority must be set up to control and regulate the use of airwaves.
The Sub-Committee felt that the integrity of the Indian Skies is as important
as her territorial integrity. This regulatory authority must be set up through
a law enacted by the Parliament at the earliest. This Body can combine the functions
of the regulatory body mentioned in para 6.4.1.2 or can be a separate
body exclusively for controlling the sky waves under the regulatory body mentioned
in para 6.4.1.2.
(Para 6.5.1)
9.13 The apex regulatory body should be an independent autonomous
public authority representative of all sections and interests in the society
and should control and regulate the use of air waves in the interests of the
public and to prevent invasion of their rights.
(Para 6.5.2)
9.14 The foreign satellite channels must also be brought within
the ambit of the said regulatory body in order to make them amenable to the
Indian laws.
(Para 6.5.3)
9.15 The Sub-Committee felt that in the case of skywaves, efforts
should be made to develop an international convention to forge multilateral/
regional agreements with countries especially in regard to software.
(Para 6.5.4)
9.16 The Sub-Committee noted that it will be difficult to pre-censor
programmes aired on television in view of vast structure such a step would call
for. By bringing in the private broadcasting/ foreign channels within the purview
of the Indian legal system, much of laissez faire that exists can be
curbed.
(Para 6.5.5.)
9.17 The Sub-Committee felt that the present programming in
electronic media, especially television needs to be more decentralised to meet
the regional/local aspirations. In this connection, the Verghese Committee recommendations
regarding decentralised programming, programme autonomy and constitution of
five zones for this purpose (viz. South, West, Central, Eastern and North) should
be considered by the Government.
(Para 6.5.6)
9.18 Care should be taken that no monopoly is developed by
the private broadcasters, by restructuring the number of channels, especially
'several interest' channels owned by them.
(Para 6.5.7)
9.19 The Sub-Committee agrees with the broad objectives of
national film policy set out by the Working Group on National Film Policy, vide
para 7.6.2 above and we reiterate the same. As a formal declaration
of the national film policy would be useful, the Sub-Committee recommends that
the Government should formalise the same as early as possible.
(Para 7.12.1.1)
9.20 Since the Estimates Committee and the Standing Committee
have examined in detail the working of the CBFC as mentioned above, we have
nothing further to add except to reiterate their recommendations. These recommendations
are discussed elsewhere (vide Annexure-VII and paras 7.9.5 and 7.9.6)
the Sub-Committee wishes to add that Government should amend the guidelines
for certification of films to curb the distortion of image of eminent leaders
in films.
(Para 7.12.1.2)
9.21 The production of good short films, both by Films Division
and independent producers, needs to be actively encouraged. The Films Divisions
should make efforts to improve the quality of its documentaries and make them
more interesting. The Sub-Committee recommends that Government should encourage
the growth of Indian documentary film movement. The Sub-Committee suggests in
this regard that the Films Division should farm out more and more films to independent
producers on its panel. Further, Doordarshan should commission production of
documentaries through the Films Division and other agencies.
(Para 7.12.1.3)
9.22 It has been stated that it would be very difficult to
find sponsors for telecasting documentaries on Doordarshan. The Sub-Committee
recommends that the Doordarshan should allot timeslots for at least half-an-hour
every day on prime time for documentaries even if there are no sponsors.
(Para 7.12.1.4)
9.23 The Sub-Committee also recommends that the feasibility
of showing documentary films in various educational institutions, schools, colleges
and universities should be examined. The Ministry of Human Resource Development
should consider the allocation of funds for the purpose.
(Para 7.12.1.5)
9.24 With a view to encourage children's films, the Sub-Committee
recommends that more infrastructural facilities should be developed for production
of animation films.
(Para 7.12.1.6)
9.25 The Sub-Committee also recommends that more avenues for
exhibition of children's films in each district of the country should be identified.
(Para 7.12.1.7)
9.26 During meetings, representatives of the, film industry
pointed out that though Government called for recommendations from the Film
Federation of India for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, it did not normally accept
their recommendation. The Sub-Committee is informed that Government gets recommendations
from all quarters including film industry and the best person is selected at
the highest level: in the Ministry for the Award. To give more credibility to
the Government's decision, the Sub-Committee would recommend that. a small Committee
consisting of eminent persons including those from Film World should be appointed
by Government to consider all names received and recommend the name of the person
who should be honoured with the Dadasabeh Phalke Award.
(Para 7.12.1.8)
9.27 The National Film Awards were instituted in 1953 to provide
for a special impetus to regional cinema and to encourage the production Of
films of aesthetic excellence and social relevance. The Sub-Committee also recommends
that the award winning films should be screened at various State capitals and
other large towns so that the people in the regional centres may get an opportunity
to see them. The Central Government should provide funds to the State Government
to organise such festivals of award-winning films.
(Para 7.12.1.9)
9.28 A number of witnesses before the Sub-Committee represented
for the full implementation of the recommendations of the High Powered Committee
(1990). The Sub-Committee would suggest that the matter should be taken up with
the various State Government/ Union Territory Administrations again.
(Para 7.12.1.10)
9.29 The Sub-Committee recommends that the State Government/
Union Territory Administrations should be persuaded to rationalise the rates
of Entertainment Tax to help the film industry.
(Para 7.12.1.11)
9.30 During discussions some of the film industry representatives
represented to the Sub-Committee that a view of high cost of imported raw stock,
the customs countervailing duty may be reduced if not abolished. The Sub-Committee
recommends that the countervailing duty on raw stock may be abolished in view
of the act that there are no facilities to manufacture the raw stock in the
country.
(Para 7.12.1.12)
9.31 Some of the witnesses before the Sub-Committee expressed
concern about the shortage of theatres as well as the closure of cinema houses
due to the advent of television and video. To overcome the shortage of exhibition
facilities, the Sub-Committee suggests that wherever cinema theatres are being
converted into commercial complexes, the local authorities should ensure that
in the complex coming up at the site at least one mini theatre is provided in
the complex. The Sub-Committee would also recommend that more multiplex theatrical
complexes should be encouraged.
(Para 7.12.1.13)
9.32 The Sub-Committee recommends that the National Film Development
Corporation and other agencies should encourage construction of theatres with
400 to 500 capacity instead of very large theatres.
(Para 7.12.1.14)
9.33 During meetings the representatives of the cine workers
pleaded for the declaration of the film industry as an "Industry"
so that the workers of the industry are not exploited by the producers. The
Sub-Committee feels that introduction of labour welfare measures of film industry
workers will go a long way in improving their conditions. The Sub-Committee,
therefore, recommends that the film industry may be declared as an industry
not only for the purpose of institutional finance but also for application of
labour legislation relating to welfare of labour.
(Para 7.12.1.15)
9.34 The National Film Archive of India is charged with the
responsibility of preservation of cinema. There have been press reports about
the damage and loss of important films. The Sub-Committee suggests that the
Archive should take immediate steps to acquire all film classics and preserve
them properly for posterity.
(Para 7.12.1.16)
9.35 The Sub-Committee also suggests that the National Film
Archive of India should take over
the old documentaries from the Films Division for restoration and preservation.
(Para 7.12.1.17)
9.36 Nowadays film appreciation courses have been started in
various universities and new film societies are coming up. However, Government
gives only Rs. 3 lakhs per year to the Federation of Film Societies of India
for its activities. This is awfully inadequate. The Sub-Committee recommends
that (Government should encourage film society movement by giving all facilities
including finance. The grant-in-aid to the Federation of Film Societies of India
should be augmented suitably.
(Para 7.12. 1.18)
9.37 Some of the witnesses informed the Sub-Committee that
Akashvani's royalty rates for film songs which broadcast is Rs. 2 per song and
was fixed a long time ago. Considering the time lapse and increase in the cost
of picturising film songs, the Sub-Committee recommends that this should be
suitably revised upwards by Akashvani.
(Para 7.12.1.19)
9.38 With respect to the suggestions regarding evolving a code
of conduct for the journalists and for vesting the Press Council of India with
more powers, the Sub-Committee felt that the matter may be left to the Press
Council for suitable decisions. However, the Press Council should consider arming
itself with adequate powers to deal with habitual offences with respect to communalism,
threats to national security and other undesirable activities.
(Para 8.4.1.1)
9.39 The language Press and the small and medium newspapers
should continue to grow. Therefore, the Sub-Committee recommends that the Government
must endeavour to create a suitable environment by helping in the modernisation
of these sections of the Press.
(Para 8.4.1.2)
9.40 Though the financial viability of a newspaper depends
to a larger extent on the advertisement revenue which it is able to attract,
Government's advertising policy and rates structure should be rational and uniform,
evolved with a view to eliminate the possible use of advertisements as a lever
to influence the press and thereby affecting its freedom.
(Para 8.4.1.3)
9.41 Even though the import of newsprint has been put under
OGL, there is a need for a nodal agency to import newsprint on behalf of small
and medium newspapers as they do not have the necessary infrastructure and the
bargaining power for such imports.
(Para 8.4.1.4)
9.42 The training requirements of the journalists is yet another
aspect which needs immediate attention. The Press over the years has to become
increasingly professional in nature. With a view to ensure that the Press as
a whole is capable of reporting and explaining and interpreting in their proper
perspective various developments taking place, it is imperative that additional
facilities are created to enable journalists to have a broad educational preparation
and specific training in journalism.
(Para 8.4.1.5)
9.43 Indian news agencies have not been able to operate effectively
in the sphere of dissemination of national news abroad, and the gathering of
foreign news for dissemination within the country. Foreign news agencies still
dominate international news sections in leading newspapers. It should be the
endeavour of the Government to permit and strengthen the news agencies to become
self-sufficient in these spheres. In this connection, renewed efforts should
be made in revitalising the efforts taken in the wake of Non-Aligned Conference,
1976 which lead to the establishment of Newspool for exchange of news among
the third world countries.
(Para 8.4.1.6)
9.44 To strengthen the Indian news agencies, the Sub-Committee
recommends that corporatisation of these news agencies with adequate equity
base, as was suggested by the First Press Commission, should be seriously considered.
(Para 8.4.1.7)
9.45 Freedom of the editors, and editorial contents, insulated
from the business and other interests of the owners, should be ensured through
a proper institutional mechanism or guidelines to be evolved by the Press themselves
or by the Press Council of India. The issue of diversion of funds from the newspaper
industry to other industries may be examined.
(Para 8.4. 1.8)
9.46 The Sub-Committee feels that towards professionalisation
of the print media, adequate institutional finance should be made available
to the journalists, etc. through co-operatives on easy terms.
(Para 8.4.1.9)
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