ITV

Category: I&B Ministry

  • I&B asks broadcasters, teleport ops to update contact information by 30 June

    I&B asks broadcasters, teleport ops to update contact information by 30 June

    NEW DELHI: A third round of warning has been issued to the broadcasters and teleport operators by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to supply full details relating to the companies operating them. The deadline set for the same is 30 June.

     

    It is the responsibility of the company to intimate any changes promptly, the Ministry pointed out. 

    It can be recalled that while similar notices had been issued on 9 April and 23 April, not all the broadcasters and teleport operators have submitted the required details.

     

    In letters sent to all television channels and teleport operators, the Ministry has asked among other things for contact details of the company including the registered address, any additional address, e-mail IDs and telephone and fax numbers.

     

    In addition, the channels and teleport operators have been asked to supply the name of the authorised representative with his/her e-mail ID and mobile number.

     

    The information has to be sent from the company’s e-mail to broadcastercontactdetails@gmail.com.

  • Legislation soon to accord ‘Institute of Eminence’ status to FTII, SRFTI: MIB

    Legislation soon to accord ‘Institute of Eminence’ status to FTII, SRFTI: MIB

    NEW DELHI: A separate legislation may be brought in Parliament to give both, the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, status of ‘Institute of National Importance,’ Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said.

     

    His predecessors have been promising status of ‘Institution of National Importance’ not only to FTII and SRTFI but also the Indian Institute of Mass Communications for more than a decade, but this is the first time there has been talks of a separate legislation for the purpose.

     

    During his first visit to Pune, the Minister made it clear to its director and staff that he would ensure that funds availability would not be a problem for this premier institute. Javadekar held a discussion with director DJ Narain and the staff members, faculty and students.
     

    Addressing a press conference, he said FTII would be revamped with state of the art technology and there would not be any paucity of budget for the same. He said the Centre would give highest priority to accord FTII and the SRFTI.

     

    Interacting with students and faculty members of the FTII, he said the government would hold discussions with all stakeholders before finalising the draft of new Cinematograph Act.

     

    Narain informed media that according such a status would result in the recognition to FTII degrees in the field of academics and trained professionals from the institute would be able to pursue higher education abroad.

     

    Meanwhile, the Minister said while harnessing the potential of thousands of exotic locations all over the country for film shootings, the stumbling block is of payment gateway. For this, he added, that a single window system for clearance should also include a payment gateway.

  • Autonomy of the pubcaster would be protected: Javadekar

    Autonomy of the pubcaster would be protected: Javadekar

    NEW DELHI: Addressing a press meet at the Doordarshan Kendra in Worli, Mumbai, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government is committed to making Doordarshan the first choice of viewers across the country and a special provision will be made in the Union Budget for a total revamp of DD.

     

    Javadekar, who was in the western metropolis to make a full appraisal of the Mumbai Kendra of Doordarshan, held discussion with officials about future plans, said: “The blue print for revamp of national and regional channels of DD is being drawn and this will involve going for staff and artist recruitment on a large scale. I&B ministry is planning to change the look and feel of the national and regional channels of DD.”  
     

    The minister was however categorical that the automomy of the pubcaster would be protected.

     

    Apart from this, the government will shortly take a decision on permitting private channels to broadcast news of All India Radio. It may also consider permitting news of Press Trust of India or United News of India.

     

    Noting that the government gives huge half page or full page advertisements but they say very little, the minister said, “We are changing the operations completely. We will change all the designs to send across the maximum information that we can and also make it creative. We will crowd-source most of the advertisements where thousands of creative people or organisations will be asked to give their ideas about how to create advertisements. Then the best will be chosen and the top ten ideas will be awarded. This process will continue while designing most of the advertising campaigns.” 

    On a question relating to paid news, he agreed it was a ‘menace’, particularly during the run-up to the elections, but he would not comment as the matter was in the Court.

     

    “Stalwarts like Lokmanya Tilak had fought for the freedom of the press and their sacrifice should not be allowed to go waste,” he added.

  • Code of Conduct bars clearance of any new TV channels in May 2014

    Code of Conduct bars clearance of any new TV channels in May 2014

    NEW DELHI: Even though it is said that the government is run by bureaucrats and not by politicians, the change in government in the month of May brought stagnancy to the process of clearances of television licences.

     

    In fact, the month saw the first half being ruled by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the second half by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

     

    A large number of new applications including Media Content and Communications Services (MCCS) that runs the ABP group of channels, Star India, Epic TV among others have been waiting in queue for a new licence.

     

    Information and Broadcasting Ministry secretary Bimal Julka says that the delay was primarily because of the Code of Conduct that had come into force. He adds, “There was clear mandate from the Election Commission that no action like clearances for new channels should be given without its permission.”

     

    The list of permitted private satellite TV channels in India remains constant at 795. Out of these 393 are news and current affairs channels while the remaining 402 are non-news and current affairs channels.

     

    The first four months of 2014 saw licences being given to nine channels including AXN HD and SET HD.

     

    The Ministry also placed on its website the names of the companies which own these channels, the language, and the date when permission was granted. 

  • M&E industry to meet I&B Minister next week

    M&E industry to meet I&B Minister next week

    MUMBAI: After the mammoth election, the new BJP-led NDA government took charge on 26 May and since then, the new Information & Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar, has been a busy man. From attending press conferences and ceremonies to meeting the various stakeholders, he has been on the move since he took the oath.

     

    The Minister has been vocal about his thoughts on what he expects from the industry and what needs to be done. On day one itself, he had announced his commitment towards freedom of press and there is no intention of regulating the media. This has given new hopes to the media industry which is currently caught-up in policy hurdles, implementation delays and controversies.

     

    As per industry sources, the Minister will be meeting the various associations of the Media & Entertainment industry together early next week.

     

    Though the dates aren’t clear yet and so is the agenda, but the various sources have hinted upon the following topics which will be discussed over the table.

     

    Digitisation – With the phase I & II over and III & IV in the pipeline, it will be one of the hot topic. The Minister, couple of days back had said that in a step to boost employment and small-scale industry, efforts will be made to encourage indigenisation of set-top boxes. The stakeholders could also discuss carriage fees, opportunities in the DTH and how digitisation can help broadcasters.

     

    Licences – More the merrier has been the slogan for large media houses. With more and more channels being launched by networks, many pending licence files have been gathering dust in the numerous Ministry offices.

      

    FDI – The Ministry is already looking for inputs from various stakeholders on whether to allow 100 per cent FDI in News media. Currently, the FDI allowed is up to 26 per cent in news and current affairs media, while 100 per cent is allowed in non-news media like trade publications and entertainment channels.

     

    Way forward – The industry has been in a limbo for a long say highly placed industry sources who are betting that the new Minister will be able to hurry up things and set a positive tone for the coming years.

     

    “The meeting is all about the big picture. Everyone has been wanting to meet the new Minister and discuss the grievances and hurdles they face,” says a source who believes a little pep talk and a push is needed to take things in a positive trend.

     

    Agreeing, another industry source adds, “Everyone will come with their own wish list in a hope to get things to work in their benefit and economically do better than what it has been doing so far.”

     

    One thing is clear that in the meeting set to be held early next week, the new I&B Minister will have his platter full, with M&E industry handing him a checklist.

  • I&B Ministry to create online mechanism for all applications for TV channels, teleports

    I&B Ministry to create online mechanism for all applications for TV channels, teleports

    NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has once again asked prospective broadcasters to deal directly with the Ministry with regards to permissions for television channels or teleports and not appoint any intermediaries or consultants.

     

    In a public notice issued today by Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Supriya Sahu, similar to the one issued late last year, the Ministry said anyone who wishes to apply for permission to start a television channel, teleport or various permissions under the Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines, can seek clarifications at the Open House held every month for the purpose and also get information on pending issues.

     

    The Ministry will not entertain any intermediary, consultant, advisor, consultancy organisation or firm to liaise with the Ministry on behalf of applicants and permission holders for following up on their requests.

     

    The Ministry follows an absolutely transparent and open process to grant various permissions to television channels, teleport operators, news agencies etc.

     

    In addition, the Ministry has also put in place a specialised software, Satellite Television Channels Application Tracking System (STATS), for those who have already applied to the Ministry for various permissions. An lD and password have been given to all of them to track the status of their pending applications.

     

    The Ministry is in the process of automating the entire Broadcasting Wing to ensure that an online mechanism is brought for various applications. Once in operation, this web enabled software will help applicants to apply online and also make payments of various fees etc., through the payment gateway.

     

    All applicants and permission holders have therefore been advised not to approach anyone who claims to be an advisor, consultant or facilitator on behalf of applicants. 

  • Javadekar condemns misuse of social media to create tensions

    Javadekar condemns misuse of social media to create tensions

    NEW DELHI: A day after airing his views on abolition of his own Ministry, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said the government should not exercise control over media which should have its own mechanisms for this.

    Addressing members of Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC), he also said: the biggest challenge for Prasar Bharti was how Doordarshan becomes the first choice for the viewer.

     

    “In whichever model it works, we’ll choose that. We have given autonomy but result should also come,” he said. 

    Noting that freedom of press was the result of a long struggle, the Minister also stressed upon responsibility of the media.

     

    The government is in favour of infrastructure augmentation in border areas where people get to hear the propaganda of other countries but the voice of Indian government at times does not reach. 

     

    Javadekar said while answering a question that social media fell under the Information Technology Act which was not administered by his Ministry, but added that the freedom afforded by social media should be used responsibly. He said misuse of social media to create tensions in society is condemnable and should not happen.

    At one stage, Javadekar mentioned that his father had worked in a publication and that he had been a member of the Press Council which is often called a “toothless wonder”. 

     

    Javadekar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had encouraged his ministers to be innovative. He said one innovative practice that the I&B and Environment ministries, which are both under him, will start is regarding advertisements they issue.

     

    He said it had been decided that people would be asked to provide ideas and designs for advertisements and the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity will only release them. “We will recognise and award the good designs that are selected,” he concluded. 

  • Javadekar files nomination papers to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh

    Javadekar files nomination papers to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh

    NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting, Forest and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections from Bhopal.

     

    The Minister’s term as a Rajya Sabha member came to an end on 2 April this year. He had been a member of the Upper House since 3 April 2008.

     

    Accompanied by his ministerial colleague and state Bharatiya Janata Party president Narendra Singh Tomar and his wife Prachi Javadekar, the Minister filed two sets of nomination papers before the returning officer Bhagwandev Ishrani at the Madhya Pradesh assembly premises in the presence of party leaders over the weekend.

     

  • Ideologically I&B Ministry should be abolished: Javadekar

    Ideologically I&B Ministry should be abolished: Javadekar

    NEW DELHI: Virtually echoing the views of former Minister Manish Tewari, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that he ‘philosophically’ and ‘ideologically’ favoured abolishing his Ministry.

     

    However, he justified this by noting that it was in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis of ‘less government, more governance’. 

           
    “Philosphically or ideologically, I’ll be willing to do that,” he said, when asked if India needed an I&B Ministry when many major democracies do not have such a profile.

     

    Asked whether Modi was also “philosophically and ideologically” in agreement with his line of thinking, Javadekar said: “Absolutely”, during an interview by Karan Thapar on Headline Today’s programme “Nothing but the Truth.”

     

    The Minister agreed with the suggestion for hiring professional editors for Doordarshan and All India Radio.

     

    He was also open to discussion with stakeholders on more FDI in media.

     

    “I think you are giving a good line for us. But ultimately, when our Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that more governance and less government, so you are actually contributing to the idea of less government and more governance. That’s our focus, but to achieve that end we have to follow a process,” he said.

     

    The Minister said that as far as the public broadcaster is concerned, there are various models like the BBC and others available which would be studied. Javadekar said he was not in favour of a model where the public broadcaster is accountable to the minister “only”.

     

    Javadekar said in the years ahead, words like “government-run”, “government-controlled” or “government intervention” will be less heard of.

     

    “But I would like that government becomes less and less and freedom and market forces and at the same time social justice is achieved,” Javadekar concluded. 

  • Government to look at law for preventing attacks on press

    Government to look at law for preventing attacks on press

    MUMBAI:Prakash Javadekar has been making a lot of appearances since he took over as the new Information and Broadcasting Minister. For a man who is aiming to be a media-friendly rather than a media-shy I&B Minister,  Javadekar took the centrestage at the Red Ink Awards held in Mumbai on 7 June, to send across a message from the government to the media fraternity.

     

    He started off by stating that the essence of democracy is the freedom of press and the Modi government is fully committed to the full freedom of media and it is their cardinal principle. While he questioned whether press meant owners, editors, the journalists or the readers and viewers, he also reminded the media that “society expects accuracy, balance and fairness from the media.”

     

    According to Javadekar, self-regulation is better than censorship. “I don’t like the word regulation. It should be self-restraint. Media needs to think whether it will play only what the public is interested in viewing or if it will also play what is in the public’s interest,” he said.

     

    Attacks on the press are not unknown of and Javadekar in his speech did not fail to acknowledge it. “This needs to be prevented. We will surely see if there is a possibility of a central law for prevention of attacks on press,” he stated.

     

    Expectations from the new Minister are high and he is in no hurry to come up with a game plan on the various issues. “There are many issues pending such as foreign direct investment in media, FM news, social media, digital media, digitisation etc. These are issues we will talk to all the stakeholders and then come to a consensus. We don’t want to thrust some decision on the whole sector but evolve it by consensus.”

     

    He also stated that both the  print and the electronic media will flourish in the upcoming years.