ITV

Category: Regulators

  • Reliance Jio may be fined for using PM’s pic in ad sans permission

    Reliance Jio may be fined for using PM’s pic in ad sans permission

    NEW DELHI: The Government has denied that it gave permission for publication of a full-page photograph of the prime minister Narendra Modi in advertisements in newspapers about Reliance Jio.

    Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said: “No permission was granted by the Prime Minister’s Office.”

    Rathore told the Parliament that the Act, ‘The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950’ is administered by the Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ministry.

    He also said that the directorate of advertising and visual publicity (DAVP) of his ministry releases Government advertisements only and does not release advertisements of any private body.

    Reliance Jio may have to pay only Rs 500 as fine for using Modi’s picture in advertisement, without permission from the government. Newspapers reported that the minor penalty could be charged from Jio.

    Rathore, in a written reply, admitted that it was aware that Reliance Jio used the PM’s photographs in the advertisement. About the actions that can be taken against Jio, he replied that the (DAVP) unit was responsible for it is the Emblems and Names (prevention of improper use) Act 1950.

    Section-3 of the Act states that no person shall use any “specified” name or emblem for the purpose of any trade, business or any such activities without the “previous permission of the central government” or officers authorised by the government. The list of names and emblems that cannot be used without prior permission from the government includes the president of India, the PM, governor of a state, the government of India or any state, Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, United Nations Organisation, Ashok Chakra or Dharma Chakra.

  • Telecast ban withheld in two of 31 cases; no IMC recast plan

    Telecast ban withheld in two of 31 cases; no IMC recast plan

    NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said that there have been only two cases in the past two years and the current year where the government has put on hold its orders asking TV channels to prohibit transmission for limited time.

    These relate to channel DY 365 for a news broadcast on 12 June 2014 and the NDTV India for a report on 4 January 2016, Naidu told the Parliament. In both cases, he said, the channels had made representations to the ministry which were under consideration.

    The minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore, answering a supplementary, said that there was no proposal to re-constitute the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) which already includes representatives from the industry.

    DY 365 TV channel telecast news bulletin revealing identity of rape victims in two separate news reports. The matter was placed before the IMC on 13 January 2015 in which a representative of the channel was also afforded an opportunity of personal hearing. IMC recommended that the channel may be taken off air for a day due to multiple violations. With the approval of competent authority, an order dated 26 March 2015 was issued to DY 365. Subsequently, the channel submitted a representation on 27 March.

    NDTV India TV channel telecast a report on Pathankot terrorist attack disclosing sensitive information well beyond the briefing given by the designated officer while the anti-terrorist operations were still under way. The content was found in violation of Rule 6(1)(p) of the Programme Code. The matter was placed before the IMC on 25 July, 2016, in which representative of the channel was also afforded an opportunity of a personal hearing. It was recommended that the channel may be taken off air for at least one day keeping in view the gravity of the violation and an order issued on 2 November 2016. Subsequently, the channel submitted a representation dated 7 November 2016 which is pending.

    (Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has admitted for hearing a petition by Care World India challenging a week-long telecast prohibition order.)

    In reply to another question, Rathore said as many as 31 TV channels had been ordered to stop transmission for periods ranging from one to 60 days since 2005. These include Care World India and AXN two times each, News Time Assam for three news items.

    The authority for exercising powers under Cable Act by Central Government or concerned Government/ authorised officers are provided under various sections of the Cable Act and mainly under Section 19 & 20.

  • Telecast ban withheld in two of 31 cases; no IMC recast plan

    Telecast ban withheld in two of 31 cases; no IMC recast plan

    NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said that there have been only two cases in the past two years and the current year where the government has put on hold its orders asking TV channels to prohibit transmission for limited time.

    These relate to channel DY 365 for a news broadcast on 12 June 2014 and the NDTV India for a report on 4 January 2016, Naidu told the Parliament. In both cases, he said, the channels had made representations to the ministry which were under consideration.

    The minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore, answering a supplementary, said that there was no proposal to re-constitute the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) which already includes representatives from the industry.

    DY 365 TV channel telecast news bulletin revealing identity of rape victims in two separate news reports. The matter was placed before the IMC on 13 January 2015 in which a representative of the channel was also afforded an opportunity of personal hearing. IMC recommended that the channel may be taken off air for a day due to multiple violations. With the approval of competent authority, an order dated 26 March 2015 was issued to DY 365. Subsequently, the channel submitted a representation on 27 March.

    NDTV India TV channel telecast a report on Pathankot terrorist attack disclosing sensitive information well beyond the briefing given by the designated officer while the anti-terrorist operations were still under way. The content was found in violation of Rule 6(1)(p) of the Programme Code. The matter was placed before the IMC on 25 July, 2016, in which representative of the channel was also afforded an opportunity of a personal hearing. It was recommended that the channel may be taken off air for at least one day keeping in view the gravity of the violation and an order issued on 2 November 2016. Subsequently, the channel submitted a representation dated 7 November 2016 which is pending.

    (Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has admitted for hearing a petition by Care World India challenging a week-long telecast prohibition order.)

    In reply to another question, Rathore said as many as 31 TV channels had been ordered to stop transmission for periods ranging from one to 60 days since 2005. These include Care World India and AXN two times each, News Time Assam for three news items.

    The authority for exercising powers under Cable Act by Central Government or concerned Government/ authorised officers are provided under various sections of the Cable Act and mainly under Section 19 & 20.

  • TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    MUMBAI: In his attempt to arduously chase the 100-million subscriber base, Reliance Jio CMD Mukesh Ambani announced extension of free domestic voice calls and data till 31 March, 2017, having crossed 50 million in 83 days. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), however, said it will examine Jio’s latest offer providing free 4G services for all till 31 March.

    Jio’s new offer, meanwhile, struck a blow at competing incumbent operators — Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone India. The latest offer hurt the rivals’ share price. Airtel was down 1.66% at Rs 319.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, respectively, dropped around 6% and 5%. By contrast, RIL price was up 0.45%.

    Ambani, on Thursday, announced the continuation of freebies currently being offered for fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) data and voice services till March next year. TRAI had earlier allowed Reliance Jio to provide free service till the end of this year.

    About the validity of Jio’s offer, TRAI chairman R S Sharma said that they would look into it. Every tariff that was filed before the authority was examined. TRAI would give its response at an appropriate time, Sharma added. TRAI had earlier allowed the new operator to provide free services till the end of 2016 for subscribers who joined till 3 December.

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) meantime stated that it did not formally allow use of the prime minister Narendra Modi’s picture in electronic and print advertisements of Reliance Jio.

    Meanwhile, lower penetration of broadband (7 per cent) may slow down the ‘Digital India’ drive, according to TRAI. Sharma suggested that a potential solution would be to use connections for cable TV for broadband delivery. TRAI has already made the recommendation to the government, he added. Digital India would have to ride on that infrastructure, and if India did not have robust infrastructure, it was not going to achieve the objective of knowledge economy, Sharma added.

    Also read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-money-merchant-app-helps-transition-to-cashless-economy-161201

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-extends-hny-free-data-offer-up-to-31-march-17-161201

  • TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    TRAI to examine whether 4G offer can ‘Jio’ till Mar ’17

    MUMBAI: In his attempt to arduously chase the 100-million subscriber base, Reliance Jio CMD Mukesh Ambani announced extension of free domestic voice calls and data till 31 March, 2017, having crossed 50 million in 83 days. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), however, said it will examine Jio’s latest offer providing free 4G services for all till 31 March.

    Jio’s new offer, meanwhile, struck a blow at competing incumbent operators — Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone India. The latest offer hurt the rivals’ share price. Airtel was down 1.66% at Rs 319.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, respectively, dropped around 6% and 5%. By contrast, RIL price was up 0.45%.

    Ambani, on Thursday, announced the continuation of freebies currently being offered for fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) data and voice services till March next year. TRAI had earlier allowed Reliance Jio to provide free service till the end of this year.

    About the validity of Jio’s offer, TRAI chairman R S Sharma said that they would look into it. Every tariff that was filed before the authority was examined. TRAI would give its response at an appropriate time, Sharma added. TRAI had earlier allowed the new operator to provide free services till the end of 2016 for subscribers who joined till 3 December.

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) meantime stated that it did not formally allow use of the prime minister Narendra Modi’s picture in electronic and print advertisements of Reliance Jio.

    Meanwhile, lower penetration of broadband (7 per cent) may slow down the ‘Digital India’ drive, according to TRAI. Sharma suggested that a potential solution would be to use connections for cable TV for broadband delivery. TRAI has already made the recommendation to the government, he added. Digital India would have to ride on that infrastructure, and if India did not have robust infrastructure, it was not going to achieve the objective of knowledge economy, Sharma added.

    Also read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-money-merchant-app-helps-transition-to-cashless-economy-161201

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/telecom/jio-extends-hny-free-data-offer-up-to-31-march-17-161201

  • Consumers may get 60-day notice from unprofessional telcos

    Consumers may get 60-day notice from unprofessional telcos

    MUMBAI: The latest consultation paper of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is about issues related to closure of mobile phone services. TRAI seeks to extend the time mobile users get to change their service-provider if a particular company is shutting shop or selling its spectrum.

    The paper titled ‘Closure of Access Service” will seek feedback from telecom eco-system stakeholders to set up a framework to give an extended time and more options to users facing termination of services. A licence coming to fruition or failure of the service provider to bag spectrum or spectrum trading are normally the reasons behind an entity shutting shop.

    TRAI took note of three significant instances. Reliance Communications stopped CDMA services and migrated to LTE. Airtel acquired spectrum from Aircel and Videocon through trading deals. In some cases, operators do not renew the spectrum and stop offering services in a particular area. Tata Docomo has lost subscribers due to such non-renewal.

    The paper follows complaints from the subscribers who said they did not receive adequate notice or communication from their service-provider and their mobile number was disconnected. If TRAI has its way, cell-phone users will get more time to change their company in such a case.

    A mobile user currently gets 30 days to change its service-provider but this has been found to be far less than expected. The law requires the company to give the department of telecommunications (DoT) a 60-day notice in such a scenario.

    India’s low broadband penetration is a matter of concern and the government needs to do a lot more work in the field to go up in the global ladder, TRAI chairperson RS Sharma said.

    Addressing Assocham summit, Sharma said that, according to an ITU paper, the penetration in India was only 7%. He said the report stated that India was even behind countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

    TRAI has recommended to the government on using cable television network for broadband delivery. In developed US and in Europe, around 50-60 per cent broadband comes from Digital Cable TV, he added.

    Foreign direct investment (FDI) attracted by the telecom sector in India meanwhile has jumped to more than US$10 billion in the first eight months of 2016-17 registering a 6-7 fold increase as compared to 2014-15 and 2015-16, telecom secretary JS Deepak said at the summit.

    Considering about 97% of population was covered by the 2G telecom network provided mostly by private telecom operators, there was a need to both popularise and simplify USSD (unstructured supplementary service data), he added. There was a need to work on a push USSD rather than a pull USSD, merchants should be able to push in a message to feature phone users where-in one just has to okay it for a transaction, he said.

  • Consumers may get 60-day notice from unprofessional telcos

    Consumers may get 60-day notice from unprofessional telcos

    MUMBAI: The latest consultation paper of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is about issues related to closure of mobile phone services. TRAI seeks to extend the time mobile users get to change their service-provider if a particular company is shutting shop or selling its spectrum.

    The paper titled ‘Closure of Access Service” will seek feedback from telecom eco-system stakeholders to set up a framework to give an extended time and more options to users facing termination of services. A licence coming to fruition or failure of the service provider to bag spectrum or spectrum trading are normally the reasons behind an entity shutting shop.

    TRAI took note of three significant instances. Reliance Communications stopped CDMA services and migrated to LTE. Airtel acquired spectrum from Aircel and Videocon through trading deals. In some cases, operators do not renew the spectrum and stop offering services in a particular area. Tata Docomo has lost subscribers due to such non-renewal.

    The paper follows complaints from the subscribers who said they did not receive adequate notice or communication from their service-provider and their mobile number was disconnected. If TRAI has its way, cell-phone users will get more time to change their company in such a case.

    A mobile user currently gets 30 days to change its service-provider but this has been found to be far less than expected. The law requires the company to give the department of telecommunications (DoT) a 60-day notice in such a scenario.

    India’s low broadband penetration is a matter of concern and the government needs to do a lot more work in the field to go up in the global ladder, TRAI chairperson RS Sharma said.

    Addressing Assocham summit, Sharma said that, according to an ITU paper, the penetration in India was only 7%. He said the report stated that India was even behind countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

    TRAI has recommended to the government on using cable television network for broadband delivery. In developed US and in Europe, around 50-60 per cent broadband comes from Digital Cable TV, he added.

    Foreign direct investment (FDI) attracted by the telecom sector in India meanwhile has jumped to more than US$10 billion in the first eight months of 2016-17 registering a 6-7 fold increase as compared to 2014-15 and 2015-16, telecom secretary JS Deepak said at the summit.

    Considering about 97% of population was covered by the 2G telecom network provided mostly by private telecom operators, there was a need to both popularise and simplify USSD (unstructured supplementary service data), he added. There was a need to work on a push USSD rather than a pull USSD, merchants should be able to push in a message to feature phone users where-in one just has to okay it for a transaction, he said.

  • HC admits challenge to Care World TV ban

    HC admits challenge to Care World TV ban

    NEW DELHI: The Bombay High Court yesterday admitted for hearing a petition challenging a week-long ban against Care World India TV, after the information and broadcasting ministry declined to replace its earlier order with a new detailed order.

    A division bench of the court comprising Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai also confirmed the stay order on the ban, and this will remain in force till the hearing is concluded.

    Earlier this week, the court had said the ministry order is not a ‘speaking order’ as it does not give details of the violations by the channel. The court had said that the ministry should withdraw the show-cause notice to the channel, and issue a fresh order detailing violations.

    Seven Star Satellite Pvt Ltd counsel Mayur Khandeparkar told the court in the hearing on 8 November that a show-cause had been issued to the channel which had also been given a hearing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, but the final order indicated that none of the arguments given by the channel had been taken into consideration and “therefore it is not a reasoned order”.

    The channel Care World had earlier been purportedly banned from the midnight of 9 November to midnight of 16 November 2016.

    Khandeparkar also said that the programme ‘Kya Karun main ab’ against which the ministerial order had come had already been taken off air and subsequent episodes would only come subject to the final order of the court.

    The judge also said in his order that the channel would not be permitted broadcast of this programme till its interim order was vacated.

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/high-court/stay-on-care-world-tv-ban-extended-till-28-november-161123

    and

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/high-court/hc-seeks-detailed-govt-order-on-care-world-indias-week-long-ban-161128

  • HC admits challenge to Care World TV ban

    HC admits challenge to Care World TV ban

    NEW DELHI: The Bombay High Court yesterday admitted for hearing a petition challenging a week-long ban against Care World India TV, after the information and broadcasting ministry declined to replace its earlier order with a new detailed order.

    A division bench of the court comprising Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai also confirmed the stay order on the ban, and this will remain in force till the hearing is concluded.

    Earlier this week, the court had said the ministry order is not a ‘speaking order’ as it does not give details of the violations by the channel. The court had said that the ministry should withdraw the show-cause notice to the channel, and issue a fresh order detailing violations.

    Seven Star Satellite Pvt Ltd counsel Mayur Khandeparkar told the court in the hearing on 8 November that a show-cause had been issued to the channel which had also been given a hearing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, but the final order indicated that none of the arguments given by the channel had been taken into consideration and “therefore it is not a reasoned order”.

    The channel Care World had earlier been purportedly banned from the midnight of 9 November to midnight of 16 November 2016.

    Khandeparkar also said that the programme ‘Kya Karun main ab’ against which the ministerial order had come had already been taken off air and subsequent episodes would only come subject to the final order of the court.

    The judge also said in his order that the channel would not be permitted broadcast of this programme till its interim order was vacated.

    Also read

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/high-court/stay-on-care-world-tv-ban-extended-till-28-november-161123

    and

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/regulators/high-court/hc-seeks-detailed-govt-order-on-care-world-indias-week-long-ban-161128

  • India to digitise all services, says I&B MoS Rathore

    India to digitise all services, says I&B MoS Rathore

    NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that the government is making all efforts to digitalise the whole spectrum of services available to the citizens. He said that convergence of array of services to empower citizens through mobile technology was already happening.

    Speaking after giving away the awards at the conclusion of the 47th International Film Festival of India in Panaji in Goa yesterday evening, Rathore said the Film Facilitation Office (FFO) set up by the government was a step towards facilitating single window clearance for filmmakers, promote India as a filming destination and provide the platform for film tourism in the country.

    He said films were not only a means for entertainment but a powerful art form which heralded social change. He added that it was a testament to the power of fluency and persuasion that cinema was the only art form that is deemed fit to be regulated by an Act of Parliament.

    The role of Cinema to bridge cultures was experienced in IFFI with the partnership between India and the focus country for the year 2016 – South Korea — through films which acted as gateway for further cultural exchanges.

    Rathore said multiplexes had revolutionised the film-viewing experience with the top films grossing box office returns due to the multiplex boom. A paradigm shift in technology also enabled the mobile viewing boom in the country. This enabled individuals to shoot films based on one’s taste and perception of the given environment. This acted as a big fillip to young filmmakers and it was evident from the record number of entries at the Swachh Bharat Film Festival organised by the ministry.

    (Speaking at another event earlier in the day, Rathore said IFFI provided a unique platform for experts from across the globe to share their behind the screen experiences and stories. The effort was to provide a rich experience for all the delegates and film fraternity.

    Rathore said Films were an effective tool as a medium of communication and appreciated the efforts of NFAI in depicting the struggle of freedom fighters through this exhibition on cinema. Linking the issue of films with the demonetisation scheme of the Government, Rathore said this initiative of the Government would bring transparency in the film industry and would curb the use of black money.)

    Iranian film “Daughter” bagged the Golden Peacock for best feature film at the Festival with a certificate and a cash prize amount of Rs Four million, shared between the Director and the Producer equally. Iranian actor Farhad Aslani won the ‘Best Actor’ award for his portrayal of the strict father in the same film, picking up the Silver Peacock and Rs 1 million in cash prize. The film had also won the best film award in the Moscow International Film Festival earlier this year.

    The awards were given away by Rathore in the presence of the Goa governor Mridula Sinha, the chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar and the chief guest S S Rajamouli.

    The ‘Best Director’ award was given to Baris Kaya for the film “Rauf”, who bagged the Silver Peacock Trophy and cash prize of Rs 1.5 million. Elina Vaska won the Best Actress Award for the film “Fellow Mud”, getting the Silver Peacock Trophy and cash Prize of Rs One million. The Special Jury award was given to Lee Joon-ik for the Direction of the movie “The Throne” with the Silver Peacock Award and a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million.

    The ICFT –UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to Turkish film maker Mustafa Kara’s ‘Cold of Kalandar’. This award, instituted by the International Council for Film & Television, Paris, and UNESCO is given to a film that portrays the Gandhian values of peace and harmony. ‘Cold of Kalandar’, set in a mountain village in the Black Sea region is also Turkey’s official entry for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category of Oscar Awards.

    The Canadian multi-lingual entry ‘The Apology’ by Toronto based Tiffany Hsiung won the Special Mention under the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal competition. In all seven films, including an Indian film ‘Allama’ by T S Nagabharana, were in the fray for this award.

    Earlier, Parsekar said that collaboration between the central and state governments and the film industry made this edition of IFFI a great success which not only promoted Indian Film Industry but also promoted Goa as a creative hub.

    Rajamouli said the biggest beneficiaries of such film festivals are young filmmakers who gets a platform to see the best of films across the globe and learn from the vision of reputed film makers around the World.

    I and B additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee said IFFI besides showcasing films also provided a large number of avenues for learning in form of workshops and master classes.

    The closing ceremony witnessed glitz and glamour through the scintillating musical performances representing a rich musical culture of India composed by Sachin Jigar.