Category: I&B Ministry

Cabinet approves merger of four film units with NFDC

NEW DELHI: The government has given its nod to the merger of four of its film media units with the national film development corporation (NFDC).

The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday. As part of the plan, the four units namely films division, directorate of film festivals, national film archives of India, and children’s film society, India will now operate under the NFDC, which will then carry out all the activities hitherto performed by them.

While this will lead to rationalisation of infrastructure and manpower, the government highlighted that interests of employees of all the concerned media units will be fully taken care of and no employees will be retrenched. A transaction advisor and legal advisor will be appointed to advise on the transfer of assets and employees, and to oversee all aspects of operationalisation of the merger.

“There was a lot of duplication in activities and there was a need to bring synergy. However, all the work which is currently underway at each of the units will remain in progress. Our aim is to ensure good films reach masses,” said Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar post the meeting.

India is one of the largest film producers in the world with an industry led by the private sector. Over 3,000 films are produced every year. After the merger, all promotion, production and preservation of film content will come under one management.

The films division, a subordinate office of the ministry of information and broadcasting, is among the oldest of the four media units. It was formed in 1948 to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.

Formed in 1964, the national film archives is mainly responsible for acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage, and the directorate of film festivals, set up in 1973, focuses on promoting Indian films and cultural exchange. The children’s film society, India is however, an autonomous organisation formed under the Societies Act in 1955 to specifically provide children and young people value-based entertainment through the medium of films.

All the four media units will now operate as one unit under the NFDC – the central public sector undertaking which was formed in 1975 for planning and promoting an organised, efficient and integrated development of the Indian film industry. “The vision of the new entity will be to ensure balanced and focused development of Indian cinema in all its genres – feature films, including films/content for the OTT platforms, children's content, animation, short films and documentaries,” stated the government.

December 24, 2020
DTH license to be issued for 20 years, 100% FDI allowed in the sector

KOLKATA: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) announced major key decisions for the direct-to-home (DTH) segment on Wednesday. The cabinet has revised guidelines for providing DTH service in India as well as licensing norms.

I&B minister Prakash Javadekar stated in a briefing that 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) will be allowed for the DTH sector. He also added that the decision was taken earlier by the ministry of commerce and industry but the sector could not avail the benefits due to existing MIB guidelines.

Moreover, DTH licenses will be issued for 20 years and license fee will be collected quarterly. Further, the period of license may be renewed by 10 years at a time. The cabinet has also approved the sharing of infrastructure between DTH operators. Distributors of TV channels will be permitted to share the common hardware for their subscriber management system (SMS) and conditional access system (CAS) applications. Javadekar said that the decision has been taken to create a level playing field.

The other salient features of the decision are:

DTH operators shall be permitted to operate to a maximum of five per cent of their total channel carrying capacity as permitted platform channels. A one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs 10,000 per platform service channel shall be charged from a DTH operator.

The cap of 49 per cent FDl in the existing DTH guidelines will be aligned with the extant government (DPIIT's) policy on FDl as amended from time to time. The decision will come into effect as per revised DTH guidelines issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting.

"The proposed reduction is intended to align the license fee regime applicable to telecom sector and will be prospectively applied. The difference may also enable DTH service providers to invest for more coverage leading to increased operations and higher growth and thereby enhanced and regular payment of license fee by them. Registration fee for platform services is likely to bring a revenue of approximately Rs 12 lakh. Sharing of infrastructure by the DTH operators may bring in more efficient use of scarce satellite resources and reduce the costs borne by the consumers. Adoption of the extant FDI policy will bring in more foreign investment into the country," the government said in a press statement.

The authority also added that the DTH sector is a highly employment intensive sector that operates pan-India. It directly employs DTH operators as well as those in the call centres, besides indirectly employing a sizeable number of installers at the grass-root level. The amended guidelines, with longer license period and clarity on renewals, relaxed FDI limits, etc will ensure a fair degree of stability and new investments in the DTH sector along with employment opportunities.

December 23, 2020
MIB cautions TV channels on ‘misleading’ online gaming ads

KOLKATA: Amid concerns over misleading advertisements on online gaming and fantasy sports, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has issued advisory to TV channels to follow guidelines issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) on 24 November.

“All broadcasters are advised that the guidelines issued by ASCI are complied with and advertisements broadcast on television adhere to the guidelines of the ASCI. It may also be ensured that advertisements do not promote any activity which is prohibited by statute or law,” MIB stated.

A large number of commercials on online gaming, fantasy sports etc have been appearing on television, MIB noted in the advisory. But those ads appear to be misleading, do not correctly convey to the consumers the financial and other risks associated thereof.

Hence, MIB, along with the ministry of consumer affairs and the ministry of electronics and information technology, convened a stakeholders consultative meeting on 11 November with ASCI, News Broadcasters Association, Indian Broadcasting Foundation, All India Gaming Federation, Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports and the Online Rummy Federation.

After discussions, it was agreed that ASCI would issue appropriate guidelines for the benefit of the advertisers and broadcasters to ensure that the ads are transparent and protect consumers.

According to the recent ASCI guidelines issued on the same, no gaming advertisement may depict any person under the age of 18 years engaged in playing an online game for real money winnings, or suggest that such persons can play these games.

December 5, 2020
MIB directs digital media entities with FDI to share details within one month

KOLKATA: A month ago, the department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) clarified certain aspects of 26 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in digital media. The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has now directed the entities having foreign investment to share details of the company and its shareholding pattern along with the names and addresses of its directors and shareholders within one month.

They have to share other details like names and address of promoters, significant beneficial owners, a confirmation with regard to compliance with pricing, documentation and reporting requirements under the FDI Policy.

Entities which, at present, have an equity structure with FDI exceeding 26 per cent will have to inform MIB and take necessary steps for bringing down the foreign investment to 26 per cent by 15 October 2021 and seek approval of the ministry. To bring any fresh investment, the entities have to seek prior approval of the government.

“Every entity has to comply with the requirements of citizenship of board of directors and of the chief executive officers (by whatever name called). The entities are required to obtain security clearance for all foreign personnel likely to be deployed for more than 60 days in a year by way of appointment, contract or consultancy or any other capacity for the functioning of the entity, prior to their deployment. For this purpose, the entities will apply to MIB at least 60 days in advance and the proposed foreign personnel shall be deployed by the entity only after prior approval of this ministry,” the ministry added in the notification.

Earlier DPIIT clarified that the rule would apply to:-

· Entities uploading/ streaming news and current affairs on websites, apps, other platforms;

· News agencies which supply news to digital media entities and/or news aggregators;

· News aggregators which, using software / web applications, aggregate content from various sources in one location.

November 16, 2020
Online content and news finally comes under MIB’s jurisdiction

KOLKATA: The meteoric rise of digital media has put high focus on how online content will be regulated. Until now there were no particular guidelines to regulate the exhibition of online content, even though talks have been going on for a long time. Now, the government has brought online news platforms and content providers under the ambit of the ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB).

The latest gazette notification issued by the Prakash Javadekar-headed ministry stated that films and audio-visual programmes made available by online content providers, as well as news and current affairs content on online platforms will come under MIB’s purview.

Earlier this year, MIB secretary Amit Khare said at FICCI e-Frames that the ministry is proposing to take over jurisdiction on online content regulation from the ministry of electronics & information technology.

“OTT being a digital platform will fall under the purview of the ministry of IT. We are proposing a decision that content should fall under purview of I&B. Convergence of ministries is extremely necessary,” Khare had remarked.

Amid intense pressure from the government, Internet and Mobile Association of India( IAMAI) also tried to push a self-regulatory model for online content curators. About 15 OTT players operating in the country came together to sign a code, but this was later disapproved by MIB. The ministry asked IAMAI to look at other models.

November 11, 2020
MIB amends HITs guidelines focusing on infrastructure sharing

KOLKATA: The ministry of Information & broadcasting (MIB) has amended the policy guidelines for Headend in the Sky (HITS) operators. According to the newly added guidelines, sharing of transport stream between HITS operators and MSOs will be permitted but on certain conditions.

HITS is a digital distribution platform and provides subscribers with a cheaper alternative to digital cable TV (operational expenses of managing multiple head‐ends on the ground are very high) and DTH.

As per the new guidelines, a HITS operator willing to share its transport stream with an MSO, should ensure that MSO has a valid written interconnection agreement with the concerned broadcasters for distribution of pay TV channels.

The ministry has added two new paragraphs to the existing guidelines. As per the MIB the directive, wherever technically feasible, the HITS operator should share the platform infrastructure on a voluntary basis for distribution of TV channels provided that the signals of the HITS provider are distributed to subscribers through cable operator only and the encryption of signals, addressability and liabilities are not compromised.

For sharing of infrastructure by a HITS operator with an MSO, the operator will be allowed sharing only on Indian controlled satellites. In addition to that, written permission from the department of space (DOS) would be required in this regard. Sharing of satellite resources and uplinking infrastructure will be allowed with the written permission of MIB and WPC and NOCC, DoT.

The adherence and compliance with all the provisions of the rules and guidelines issued by MIB and NOCC and WPC, DoT for grant of licence to the HITS operator will be the responsibility of both, the existing operator and the new applicant proposing to share the infrastructure.

The regulator further added that sharing parties may use common hardware for CAS and SMS. But details of such an arrangement should be intimated to MIB and broadcasters 30 days in advance. However, the respective HITS operator, MSO or cable operator will be accountable for the integrity and security of CAS and SMS data pertaining to the respective operator.

To avoid any conflict in payment, each operator sharing the stream should be individually responsible for setting up the system and processes. This move will ensure that the broadcasters can exercise right for disconnection in case of default of payment or due to any other reason in terms of interconnection agreements between the broadcaster and the operator as well as the relevant regulations in place.

“Each operator in the sharing environment should undertake to ensure the encryption of signals and addressability to all the subscribers in all circumstances and provide requisite access for audit or for authorized officers of government wherever demanded,” MIB stated.

November 10, 2020
Neerja Sekhar replaces Atul Kumar Tiwari as MIB addl secretary

KOLKATA: The government today announced a major reshuffle at the level of addiitonal secretaries, accross ministries. Amongst the ones relevant to the broadcasting sector is the appointment of Neerja Sekhar as addiitonal secretary of the ministry of information & broadcasting. An announcement had been made on 22 September that five IAS officers of the Haryana cadre and one from Himachal Pradesh were are among the 51 officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) empanelled for additional Secretary level posts at the centre. And the The appointments committee of the cabinet approved their empanelment today. Sekhar replaces Atul Kumar Tiwari who has been moved as addiitonal secretary of the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship.

Sekhar, a 1993 cadre IAS, was appointed as joint secretary of MIB in February 2020.

Earlier this year, Amit Khare also started his second stint at MIB as secretary replacing Ravi Mittal.

More to follow.

November 3, 2020
I&B ministry announces 8th National Community Radio Awards

MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting has invited entries for the 8th National Community Radio Awards to encourage innovation and healthy competition amongst Community Radio Stations (CRSs). The ministry had instituted National Community Radio Awards in the year 2012 which were conferred to CRS every year. So far, seven Awards have been given.

The 8th Community Radio Awards for the year 2020-21 announced by the I&B ministry will be divided into four categories: thematic award, most innovative community engagement award, promoting local culture award, and sustainability model award. Each category will have first, second and third prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. The last date for receipt of entries is 31 October 2020.

More details here.

Details of Award Category

A: Thematic Award: This award will be for the programmes having thematic focus, relevant to community. This implies that the program should be a series of at least 13 episodes on a particular theme that has relevance to the community. It could be sponsored or an initiative of the station. It should be addressing any issue pertaining to the need or interest of the community. It can focus on any sector- social, cultural, historical, financial or any other. The entries will have to clearly elucidate:

a) Number of episodes produced

b) Why the theme was chosen?

c) How was the programme executed?

d) Was the community involved?

e) Details of the format used

f) What was the local relevance of the programme in terms of impact and visible change?

g) How was it sustained?

h) Way forward

Any case study or report on the program would help.

B: Most Innovative Community Engagement Award: The basic objective of the community radio is to serve the cause of the community by involving members of the community in the broadcast of their programmes. By adopting new formats of programme, inclusion of traditional communication formats to convey development concerns to the community can bring greater impact. The program should be novel, original and innovative. It should have an element of community participation and relevance to community. Entries for this award must reflect engagement of community in the planning, content, production and broadcast of the programme. The entry should reflect the processes involved in bringing the community together for a broader engagement. The community should have been at the centre of this engagement process. The program should have enabled a collective change and helped create a movement within the community. It should have created a momentum to address any local concern. Entries accompanied with a list of outcomes achieved and solutions provided to community needs will be given preference. The entries should clearly explain following:

a. Define the community it was targeted at

b. How many episodes were produced?

c. How was the engagement sustained?

d. What innovative methods were adapted to make a programme?

e. What was the level of participation of the community?

f. How many people did the programme reach out to? What were the outreach activities undertaken?

g. Documentation, if any

h. Did it run in a campaign mode? Was it a onetime effort?

i. How did you link the programming with the community?

j. Impact on the community- how did you measure the same?

C) Promoting Local Culture Award: (Preservation and promotion) Entries must incorporate local talent and tradition. Entries can be in any language but must be accompanied by a description of what efforts were made to promote local culture and a brief summary be provided in English/Hindi. The entry in this category should reflect the program's effort in improving local well-being. The program should have provided a sense of identity to the community. It could be based on common understanding, local traditions, and values and should have influenced the confidence of the local community. The effort of the program should have encouraged preservation and promotion of culture. For example, it could have revived a dying art, preserved a local monument, helped in architectural preservation of old buildings and Havelis, or use of local culture to mobilise the population, revival of traditional handicraft or culture-based entertainment etc. The program could be on cuisine, folk music, festivals or other cultural activities which have a sustained impact on the community. The entry should address following points:

a. What was the focus of the programme?

b. Why was it important?

c. How did the programme help in reviving/ promoting the local culture?

d. How many episodes did you produce?

e. How was it sustained? How has the revival/preservation been visible?

f. What was the impact or consequence of the programme?

g. What was the format?

h. Who will take responsibility in the community for taking the same forward?

D: Sustainability Model Award: The purpose of this award is to encourage CRS to adopt innovative models to generate revenue for self-sustenance. Sustainability means that the station should have sustainability on four different counts: a. content b: human resources c: technical and d: financial. Audio clips need not to be submitted for this category, but documentary proofs will be required such as audited balance sheets of the organization/CRS etc. Sustainability will be measured on various parameters as given below:

a) Content sustainability- new programmes introduced

b) Hours of broadcast and how does it compare to the previous year?

c) How much is fresh broadcast and how much is repeat broadcast?

d) Training and exposure of the team- has the team (community members) travelled or participated in any workshops/conferences?

e) What is the Staff composition?

f) Status of equipment sustainability/any breakdown etc

g) What has been the engagement of the community?

h) List of projects implemented

i) Financial sustainability- sources and resources

j) Total turnover

k) Media coverage

Any other documents- if relevant

Community Radio is the third-tier broadcasting along with public and private radio broadcasting. At present, there are a total 302 Community Radio Stations (CRS) in the country. These CRS stations are playing a very important role in disseminating information especially in those areas where other media presence is limited.

October 29, 2020
CINTAA welcomes move to expedite extending industry status to entertainment sector

MUMBAI: Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) has welcomed the Maharashtra government’s move to formulate a comprehensive policy for entertainment sector and expedite procedure of extending industry status.

''The decision of the Maharashtra government has come at a most appropriate time for the fraternity. This will undoubtedly bring in progressive ramifications to the sector,'' CINTAA said in a statement.

The state government on October 23 announced that it will devise a policy for the entertainment sector as well as declare rebate of up to 25 per cent in shooting charges at Goregaon Film City, while also advancing the process to grant industry status to the sector. The decision to formulate a comprehensive policy was taken in a meeting chaired by cultural affairs minister Amit Deshmukh.

The minister has asked Maharashtra film, stage and cultural development corporation limited (MFSCDC) to prepare a draft for the policy. “The comprehensive policy will cover all aspects dealing with various platforms such as films, theatre, documentaries, serials to over-the-top (OTT) content. It will be presented before the state cabinet for its final nod,” Deshmukh said.

CINTAA stated that it has strived very hard to get support for the betterment of the fraternity in general and the actors community in particular. “Realizing the challenges faced and to be on par with other sectors, the idea to have an Industry status for us has always been our foremost objective and our pursuit has always been rationale driven. Our efforts have been truly paid,” it added.

MFSCDC MD Manisha Verma said, “The policy will have a holistic approach towards all aspects related to the sector. We will consider simplification of taxation, increasing screens, fiscal incentives, changing technology besides generation of skilled manpower. It’s a labour-intensive industry and has the potential of job generation. All these aspects will be deliberated upon during a webinar with all stakeholders between 5 and 7 November. Valid suggestions and recommendations that we will get during the deliberation will be incorporated in the policy.”

October 26, 2020
DPIIT issues clarification on 26% FDI in digital media

KOLKATA: While significant growth in media is coming from digital media consumption, the government amended the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy last year. As a part of the reform, it had announced an approval of  26 per cent FDI in digital media. However, there was a lack of clarity about the niggling details.

Mire than a year later, the department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has thrown some further light on it:

The rule would apply to :

·   Entities uploading/ streaming news and current affairs on websites, apps, other platforms;

·    News agencies which supply news to digital media entities and/or news aggregators;

·    News aggregators which, using software / web applications, aggregate content from various sources in one location.

These news organisations would be required to align their FDI to 26 per cent level with governmental the approval, within a year from today. To comply with the FDI policy, the majority of directors on the board of the company and CEO should be Indian citizens.

"Security nod must for foreign personnel deployed for more than 60 days in India if security nod for any foreign personnel gets denied, the employee has to resign/employment terminated," DPIIT said.

In this context, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has announced that it will consider in the near future to extend the following benefits, presently available to traditional media (print and TV), to such entities also:

·      PIB accreditation for its reporters, cameramen, videographers enabling them with better first-hand information and access including participation in official press conference and such other interactions.

·     Persons with PIB accreditation can also avail CGHS benefits and concessional rail fare as per the extant procedure.

·     Eligibility for digital advertisements through Bureau of Outreach and Communication.

Moreover, MIB has suggested forming a similar self-regulating body in digital media like print and electronic media.

October 16, 2020