Govt open on Broadcasting bill: Dasmunsi

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) The government has an open mind on the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, and the views of the industry and the stakeholders will be considered before enacting the same, Information&Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said today.

''The objective of proposed Bill is to provide the consumer, entertainment services at affordable rates and create a regulatory authority,'' the Minister said while assuring the 15-member ASSOCHAM delegation, of the government's support.

Since broadcasting impacts the common citizen, the Chamber underlines the significance of self-regulation as a more effective tool for the broadcasting industry, Co-Chairman of ASSOCHAM Entertainment Council Bhuvan Lall said, while urging Mr Dasmunsi to put the draft Bill on the website, inviting comments from public and the broadcasters.

The views of the various stakeholders including consumers, operators including cable operators, broadcasters, content providers and the governmental sectors, need to be taken into consideration before proceeding forward in the direction of regulating broadcasting sector in India, Mr Lall said.

ASSOCHAM Chief Anil Agarwal, who led the delegation said, the Chamber supports the government in taking appropriate steps to ensure a dynamic public service broadcasting regime, including Prasar Bharti, and underlined the need for ensuring that the coming of any proposed broadcasting legislation should not hinder the growth of Broadcasting, Cable and the Entertainment sector in India.

The delegation supported the government on the proposed Broadcasting Bill and emphasised the need for clarifying the various legal issues concerning the coverage and content of broadcasting.

To ascertain the views from all stakeholders in the proposed Bill, the Minister has called a meeting on August 5, 2006.

UNI RA DKS PM1804