Media barons favour uniform regulator in broadcasting

New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) A leading body of media tycoons today came out in support of a uniform regulator in the broadcasting sector but firmly opposed the government's proposed move to put restrictions on cross-media and inter-media ownership, saying the Indian media is ''too nascent to warrant'' any ownership shackling.

The Indian Media Group, which held a two-hour discussion with Information and Broadcasting Secretary S K Arora to apprise its views to the government on the proposed Broadcast Bill, also suggested that the law governing the Press Council of India should be amended to extend its authority as a regulator for the electronic media also.

ZEE Group President Subhash Chandra, who led the eight-member delegation at the talks, later told reporters that the IMG was firmly opposed to restrictions on cross-media ownership.

''Cross-media and inter-media restrictions cannot be duplicated in India as applicable in developed countries like the US where there is a uniform language. India is, howerver, a pluralistic country with diverse languages. Moreover, the reach of print media in India is limited to not more than 20 per cent of the population,'' he said.

Mr Chandra also pointed out that Indian media was in a nasecent stage and required capital investment, greater manpower and technological upgradation.

Pointing out that the proposed bill had restricted 15 per cent ownership restriction, he said the percentage should be fixed into a global context, factoring in the Indian diaspora and not in ''India-alone situation''.

With regard to the proposed Broadcast Regulatory Authroity, he said it should be confined to independent people and not become an extended arm of the government. ''Moreover, there should be a uniform regulator for all segments of the media, be it electronic, print, radio or online service.'' He said the I&B Secretary gave a patient listening to their arguments and agreed to take into account before tabling it in Parliament.

The delegation included Mr. I. Venkat (Enadu), Mr. Sunil Lalla (Times Now), Mr Sunil Manchanda (CNN-IBN), Mr Jawahar Goyal (Zee TV), Mr A. Mohan and Mr Chintamani Rao.

UNI SKS LS BD2106