ITV

Category: I&B Ministry

  • I&B secretary asks union ministries to clear ad dues of media cos

    I&B secretary asks union ministries to clear ad dues of media cos

    MUMBAI: Information & broadcasting (I&B) ministry secretary Ravi Mittal has contacted his counterparts in several other ministers asking them to clear the dues they owe several media companies, media reports suggest. Mittal has cited the financial pressure that the media companies are facing because of the ongoing lockdown as one of the reasons. 

    It is being highlighted that various union ministries including telecommunications, sports, youth affairs, the departments of posts, electronics and IT, and the NITI Aayog, among others, owe at least Rs 400 crore to several media companies. 

    According to a Hindustan Times report, which cites having Mittal’s letters in its possession, he has underlined that it is of vital importance that all payments due to the private media sector are made to enable them to pay their employees, keep their businesses afloat and prevent layoffs. 

    “As you would appreciate, these media houses are also supporting the government’s efforts to communicate with its citizens during the current crisis arising due to COVID-19,” he wrote.

    Mittal’s intervention comes days after the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) communicated to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman that they are in grave danger of losing monies. 

    Additionally, the Advertising Agencies Association of India has also written to the I&B ministry demanding tax relief.

  • Continue uninterrupted services, I&B ministry tells broadcasters, cable ops

    Continue uninterrupted services, I&B ministry tells broadcasters, cable ops

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has requested all the stakeholders such as broadcasters, DTH providers, MSOs and LCOs to continue to provide uninterrupted services to their respective subscribers and cooperate with other players within the distribution chain in the interest of the viewers and larger public safety in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.

    Earlier, ministry of home affairs allowed broadcast and cable services to be operational as essential services during the period of containment of the COVID-I9 pandemic in the country. Last month, MIB also requested all states/UTs to ensure operational continuity of print and electronic media. Such constant flow of essential and authentic information through various media is aimed ensuring public order and safety in the current situation of an unprecedented pandemic, said a press release by MIB.

    “It will be appreciated by all concerned stakeholders that at this critical juncture, this steady flow of information and keeping the public engaged inside their homes with programmes on news, authentic information and entertainment is of paramount importance. All steps may, therefore, be taken to ensure that the people continue to uninterruptedly view the available channels,” informed the MIB.

  • Govt sets up COVID-19 Fact Check Unit to counter fake news

    Govt sets up COVID-19 Fact Check Unit to counter fake news

    MUMBAI: In the wake of influx of misinformation that the government says is being spread through social media, the press information bureau of the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has set up a portal, COVID-19 Fact Check Unit, which will be operational from morning of 2 April to receive messages by email and send its response in quick time.

    PIB will release a daily bulletin at 8 pm every day to inform government decisions, developments and progress on COVID-19. The first bulletin was released on Wednesday at 6.30 pm.

    The bulletin has been established after the supreme court gave a directive on controlling fake news during the pandemic. One of the reasons for the mass migration of labourers was a rumour that the lockdown would continue for more than three months.

    The solicitor general of the government said that an official bulletin would be published via all media avenues, including social media; other media outlets should use only the official data. The apex court clarified that although it won't interfere with free discussion, the media should refer to the official version of the developments.

    The ministry of health has set up a technical group consisting of professionals from AIIMs, etc., to clarify any doubts in the minds of the general public on any technical aspect of COVID-19.

    The cabinet secretary has written to all the state governments informing them of the constitution of 11 empowered groups under the Disaster Management Act with clear-cut mandate to decide on various aspects of management of COVID-19, with a request to develop a similar mechanism at the state level.

    Moreover, the health department has issued detailed guidelines to deal with psychological issues amongst migrants. State governments have been requested to engage volunteers to supervise the welfare activities of the migrants. 

  • I&B min seeks donation of one day’s salary to PM-CARES fund

    I&B min seeks donation of one day’s salary to PM-CARES fund

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting has appealed to all its officers, staff, including media units, autonomous bodies, and PSUs to contribute their one day's salary to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES) Fund to aid the government's effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

    A ministry release signed by deputy secretary and HoD Rajendra Singh said that any officer or staff having objection to it may intimate their concerned DDOs, invariably mentioning his/her employee code by 3 April 2020 positively. In respect of Main Secretariat, MIB, the concerned officers/employees may intimate DDO, MIB over telephone number 23384892 and Whatsapp number 8826701292. 

    Even as citizens have pooled in their resources to help the distraught, aides from the media have also done the same. A few days ago, Network18 announced that all its employees will be donating one day's salary to the PM fund.

  • MIB extends time for feedback on Cable TV Networks Amendment Bill 2020

    MIB extends time for feedback on Cable TV Networks Amendment Bill 2020

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has extended the timeline to receive feedback or comments on the proposed amendments of Cable Television Networks Amendment Bill 2020. While it was extended upto 17 March first time, the ministry has extended the date now till 13 April.

    “In response to request received from various quarters with reference to this Public Notice dated 15.01.2020 and its letter of even number dated 21.01.2020 and 10.02.2020 respectively on the subject cited above, this ministry has decided to extend the time again upto 13 April, 2020 for furnishing suggestions/feedback/comments/inputs/views on the proposed amendments,” the MIB said in a notice.

    MIB published the draft on 15 January inviting feedbacks from the stakeholders and generale public. The ministry is bringing in a slew of amendments to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 through the draft Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020.

    While MIB is planning to bring amendments to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 through the proposed  draft, one of the major changes planned by the ministry is to prevent state governments or the entities as well as religious and political parties from entering the TV distribution space. The clause 4(1) now reads as follows: “Registration as cable operator–(1) Any person who is desirous of operating or is operating a cable television network may apply for registration or renewal of registration, as a cable operator to the registering authority.”

    “Provided that such a registration or renewal of registration shall not be granted to the state governments, urban and local bodies, political and religious bodies, state government departments, state government-owned companies, State government undertakings, joint ventures of the state government and the private sector and state government funded entities.

  • MIB asks states to ensure operational continuity of media amid Covid-19 outbreak

    MIB asks states to ensure operational continuity of media amid Covid-19 outbreak

    MUMBAI: In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has directed all state governments and union territories to ensure uninterrupted operation of information networks as their outreach is of vital importance.

    At this juncture, robust and essential information dissemination networks such as TV channels, news agencies, teleport operators, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), DTH, and Highend-in-the Sky (HITS), MSOs, cable operators, FM radio and Community Radio Stations (CRSs) are of utmost importance to ensure timely and authentic information dissemination. The proper functioning of these networks is required not only to create awareness among people and to give important messages but also to keep the nation updated of the latest status.

    The MIB also said in the press release that false and fake news need to be avoided and good practices need to be promoted and these networks play a pivotal role in ensuring the same.

    The critical infrastructure in this case include:

    (a) Printing presses and distribution infrastructure of newspapers and

    magazines;

    (b)All TV channels and supporting services like teleports and DSNGs;

    (c) DTH/HITS operations connected equipment /facilities, etc. including

    maintenance;

    (d) FM/CRS networks;

    (e)Networks of MSOs and cable operators; and

    (f) News agencies.

    In order to ensure continuity of these services, MIB requested state

    Governments and union territory administrations to facilitate operational

    convenience of the above-mentioned services.

    It also requested the keep the following points in case any restrictions are contemplated to be imposed for containment of COVID-19:

    (a) All operators of such facilities I intermediaries in the chain be permitted

    to remain operational;

    (b)Facilitating smooth supply and distribution chain as may be required;

    (c) The facilities should be permitted to be manned by the staff of the

    service providers;

    (d) The movement of the accredited staff of services providers be permitted;

    (e) The movement of vehicles carrying media persons, DSNGs and others including provisioning of fuel, wherever required may be facilitated; and

    (f) Availability of uninterrupted electric supply and other logistics as requested by such facilities have to be provided;

  • MIB asks private satellite channels to air TVC on COVID-19

    MIB asks private satellite channels to air TVC on COVID-19

    MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed private satellite TV channels to air a new television commercial on the dos and don’ts of COVID-19 as the pandemic  is taking a toll across the globe. While India is still at the stage II of the outbreak, the awareness among the common mass needs to be high.

    The TVC has Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan.

    On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on combating the challenge of COVID-19. O. He requested citizens to follow certain measures to ensure the containment of the fast-spreading virus. He emphasized the importance of not taking the pandemic lightly and the need to be aware and proactive towards prevention of COVID-19.

  • No assessment made on impact of NTO 2.0 on DD Free Dish: I&B minister

    No assessment made on impact of NTO 2.0 on DD Free Dish: I&B minister

    NEW DELHI: No assessment on the impact of new tariff order (NTO 2.0) on the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s free DTH platform DD Free Dish has been carried out by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), revealed I&B minister Prakash Javadekar in response to a question by Congress MP Manish Tewari in the parliament.

    Tewari had asked whether TRAI has conducted an assessment of how regulations issued on 1 January 2020 impact the growth and popularity of Doordarshan’s Free Dish platform, to which Javadekar responded, “No such assessment has been conducted by TRAI.”

    He also added that the main objectives of the regulatory framework are to establish a harmonised business process in the sector, ensure level playing field, bring in transparency in TV channel pricing, reduce litigations among stakeholders and provide equal opportunities to smaller multi-system operators (MSOs).

    He also noted that TRAI notified the regulatory framework on 3 March 2017 for broadcasting and cable services after due consultation with the stakeholders. “In order to address the issues faced by the consumers, while balancing the interest of broadcasters as well as the distribution platform operators (DPOs) to create a level playing field, TRAI, after due consultation with the stakeholders, issued amendments to the regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services sector on 01.01.2020.” 

  • I&B ministry asks TV channels to publicise travel advisory for COVID-19 affected countries

    I&B ministry asks TV channels to publicise travel advisory for COVID-19 affected countries

    MUMBAI: The deadly corona virus with its epicentre in Wuhan, China has slowly crept into several parts of the world. Just this week, cases of Indians who have contracted this infectious disease came to light and put the government on alert. The health ministry has finally issued an advisory regarding Covid-19 and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has requested the electronic media to help spread the message.

    “Electronic media has always been in the forefront to carry such message as it is a powerful tool to reach out to the people across the country. In order to make this effort successful, it has been felt that support, assistance and contribution of TV channels and FM radio channels will be of immense use,” the advisory reads.

    The following are the tickers TV channels are advised to carry:

    1. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and Japan.

    2. Indian citizens are advised to avoid travel to other COVID-19 affected countries.

    3. Passengers coming from abroad to India need to furnish duly filled self-declaration form and travel history to health and immigration officials at all ports and airports.

    4. For any health-related query call at ministry of health and family welfare, GOI’s 24X7 control room number +91-11-23978046 or email at ncov2019@gmail.com.

    “Keeping in view the significance and meaningfulness of this cause, all private satellite news TV channels and their associations are requested to give adequate publicity to the revised travel advisory issued by the ministry of health and family welfare,” it adds. 

  • I&B ministry warns TV channels against airing content inciting violence

    I&B ministry warns TV channels against airing content inciting violence

    MUMBAI: In the wake of the ongoing CAA protests and Delhi riots, the ministry of information and broadcasting has issued an advisory to all private and satellite channels to be cautious with content which is likely to encourage or incite violence or contain anything against the maintenance of law and order or which promotes "anti-national attitudes".

    TV channels are also advised to be cautious about airing content which contains attacks on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promotes communal attitudes.

    The broadcaster must be careful before airing content which contains anything defamatory, deliberate, false or suggestive innuendos and half-truth.

    The ministry has asked channels to ensure strict compliance of code and also ensure that no content is telecast which violate the programming and  advertising code. 

    This is the second such advisory sent out by the ministry with the last one coming out in January.