Govt working to finalise Broadcasting Bill : Dasmunsi

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The Government is working to finalise the draft of the proposed Broadcasting Service Regulation Bill in close consultation with various stakeholders and State Governments, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

He said the bill inter alia seeks to set up a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) to deal with issues relating to content among others. ''However, it is not specifically focused on sting operations,'' he pointed out.

He said TV channels are autonomous and there is no proposal to curb their autonomy. However, they have to abide by the Cable Television networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder and any other regulation issued from time to time, Mr Dasmunsi said.

In response to another question, the Minister said the Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI), requested the Government to establish a common authority for regulating media content and extending the jurisdiction of the Press Council over electronic as well as print media and rechristening it Media Monitoring Commission of India (MMCI).

The request was examined but it was not found possible to accede to the proposal, Mr Dasmunsi added.

UNI