TV channels content regulator Bill in monsoon session:Dasmunsi

New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) The Draft Bill on Broadcast Content Regulation Authority was ready and would be tabled in Parliament during the Monsoon Session, Information&Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi said here today.

The move to set up a content regulator for TV channels is the result of growing public opinion against the increasing trends towards violence and obscenity in their programmes.

Addressing the meeting of his Ministry's Consultative Committee, the Minister told the members that the entire gamut of Prasar Bharati related issues was being looked into by a Group of Ministers (GOM). The Ministry has discussed all related matters with those concerned.

The Members had expressed concern at various problems facing the public broadcaster and felt that their funding/staffing and other needs should be met since they were the source of credible and balanced news and information.

The Minister said DD's Direct-to-Home (DTH) service has been getting a very good response and the Ministry was planning to fix fees for fresh applicants who wish to be a part of its bouquet.

''DD's programmes are being reoriented and ways and means being devised to ensure a level playing field for all parties in DTH regime,'' he said.

He told the members that Doordarshan has planned to come out with serials on classics, which would have national integration and harmony as their theme. Programmes on Gautam Buddha were getting priority attention, he added.

They appreciated the substantial rise in the revenue of DD and AIR in 2005-06. One of the members suggested that proper arrangements should be in place for the after service of the equipment related to DTH service. Another suggestion was that since analog phase was over and digitalization was in, DD should look into the prospects of generating revenue by converting its analog based archives to digitised form.

One of the members felt the need of focussing on programmes based on social equity and harmony, as this would help defuse caste and other social tensions.

Those who attended the meeting included Mr Kirip Chaliha, Mr Hannan Mollah, Mr S. Sudhakar Reddy, Mr Bhartruhari Mahtab, mr Ramdas Athawale, Mr Vijay J. Darda, Mr E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Mr Ajay Maroo, Mr S. S. Chandran, Mrs Usha Verma and Ms Nirmala Deshpande - all MPs, besides senior officials of the I&B Ministry.

UNI NAZ VD RN1715