Restrictions on cross-media ownership in final bill

New Delhi, Aug 15: Restrictions on cross-media ownership--the main grouse of broadcasters against the provision in the draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill--are going to stay in the final Bill.

This was indicated by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry after its first meeting with broadcasters held following the release of the official version of the draft Bill last week.

The Ministry, however, indicated that it was open to suggestions on the nature of the Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) to be set up under the new legislation.

''Unregulated market is no market, market forces will have play only if there is regulation to allow that play,'' Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry K S Arora said briefing newspersons after the meeting that was attended by about 30 broadcasters and lasted till late last night.

He had been asked about the broadcasters' concern that the restrictions on accumulation of interest may stiffle the growth of the media industry.

Dismissing these suggestions, Mr Arora said Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi had already made it clear that the Government was committed to the growth of the media and it was in the interest of this industry that some level playing field was ensured all through regulation.

When pointed out that the broadcasters had also reservations against the nature and composition of the Regulatory Authority which has turned out to be a fully government controlled body, as provided in the draft broadcast bill, he said, '' we have listened to the views of the stakeholders in this regard, and would certainly take them into account in finalising the Bill.

Replying to a question, he also said if any suggestion came from the Press Council of India for extending its scope to cover the electronic media too, the government would look into it.

''The drfat released last week was by no means the final draft. This is the 19th version of the Bill, and it will certainly undergo changes,'' said Mr Arora.

As far as offences relating to broadcasting were concerned, Mr Arora said, the government had clearly told the stakeholders that they need not have any fears as there was a clear demarcation between civil and criminal offences and it is only in the case of the latter that magistrates would have the power to seal, confiscate and seize the broadcasters' equipment. These offences relate to unlicensed broadcasting, or the kind of broadcasting that was detrimental to national security.

These provisions were already there in the Cable Act, he added.

When pointed out that some broadcasters had said that certain provisions of the draft Bill were not in consonance with the Information Technology laws, Mr Arora said all these issues will be resolved with the IT Ministry.

He said the broadcasters had been given one month's time to send their response. It was only after getting views of all the stakeholders that the government will finalise its views.

Replying to a question, he said the provisions in the leaked out draft were based on a very early version of the Bill and a lot of changes were made before releasing the draft.

Earlier, talking to reporters, Chief Executive Officer of the India TV Chintamani Rao said the present bill was no better than the leaked out draft, as the sources of concern remain there. He, however, said it was not the final draft and hoped it would undergo modification.

To a question, he said that barring some details, there was near consensus among broadcasters regarding the Broadcasting regulations.

The Drfat Bill that leaked out in the beginning of the last month had resulted in great hue and cry raised by broadcasters over the alleged ''draconian measures'' in the bill, following which the Minister had to come out with frequent assurances to the industry that the freedom of the media will not be curtailed.

The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill was earlier slated to be introduced in the current session of parliament, but had to be deferred to consult media organisations in the matter.

UNI

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