News Broadcasting

Let entertainment rule this decade – I&B minister

Published

23 years ago

February 12, 2003

NEW DELHI: India’s information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said that the media and entertainment (M&E) industry needs to vigorously
educate the policy-makers, government officials and politicians about the vast revenue and employment-generating potential that it has, even as he declared “let this decade be the decade for entertainment sector.”

The minister was also of the opinion that conditional access (CAS) is a positive thing to happen, but it should be implemented side by side with set top boxes (STBs) being made available in the market. Prasad also said he would look into the issue of migration to revenue sharing in the private FM radio segment.

“I considered myself fairly aware of things, but today after interacting with you all, I again learnt that the global entertainment and media industry’s (including sports) turnover would be touching $1.2 trillion this fiscal,” Prasad said, adding, “That’s why I reiterate that
policy-makers, politicians and officials need to be educated more on the potential of this industry.”

Replying to a slew of issues raised by the entertainment and media industry today under the aegis of the Ficci entertainment committee, that is slated to hold M&E conclave Frames 2003 in Mumbai next month, Prasad spoke about various issues. He assured the representatives of various companies and organisations that it would be his endeavour to help in strengthening the laws and regulations to arrest the growing menace of piracy, under-declaration of cable subscriber base and duty rationalisation of components.

Prasad exhorted the industry to come to him with a structured paper on issues like piracy, involving all segments of M&E industry, which also presents a
comparative legislative view of other countries for him to take up the matter with other ministries concerned.

For example, on the issue of lax enforcement of copyright laws, that was raised by the Indian Music Industry (IMI) representatives, Prasad said, “Certain matters raised by you all need not necessarily fall within the ambit of my ministry, but let me assure you that I am willing to take up these matters with ministries like human resources development along as I get your co-operation.”

Then addressing the issue of conditional access system (brought up by the likes of SET India chief executive Kunal Dasgupta, HTMT’s Ashok Mansukhani and CETMA’s Suresh Khanna), the minister pointed out that that his agenda would be to complete the unfinished task of his predecessor Sushma Swaraj, but along with it he’d like to tread cautiously.

“CAS as a concept is good, but I would not like it to become an issue like CNG,” the minister said, hinting that before CAS is implemented certain assurances must come on availability of set-top boxes which would be needed as the government has mandated that all pay channels have to go through STBs.

His alluding to CNG (classic case of supply vs demand situation) is significant as when the Delhi government, on being directed by the Supreme Court, introduced compressed natural gas-run public transport like auto rickshaws and buses, for several months last year there was total chaos as availability of CNG was not proportionate to the demand.

“But I am ready to do anything that is best for the (cable) consumer,” Prasad said, adding that he would like to adhere to the deadline of 14 July for implementation of CAS.

Those who were present at the star-studded Ficci meet included senior government officials from the I&B ministry — who incidentally came in for high praise from the industry — filmmaker and chairman of the Ficci entertainment panel Yash Chopra, Bollywwod bigwigs like Subhash Ghai, Yash Johar and Bobby Bedi, UTV’s Ronnie Screwvala. Sahara TV president Mahesh Prasad, BBC World’s resident director Vinod Bakshi, Reliance Entertainment’s Amit Khanna, Universal Music India’s president and managing director V Lazarus, Tips’ director Ramesh Taurani, PVR’s managing director Ajjay Bijli, Atul Goel from E-city Entertainment, Ravi Nirula from Radio Mirchi, Star/RadioCity representatives, Showtime’s managing director Michael Menezes and Moving Pictures’ CMD Ramesh Sharma, Win Radio’s Gautam Radia, apart from a host of other people from sectors like animation, film distribution, multiplexes and legal fraternity.

The minister also took a swipe at Bollywood’s underworld connections and said that he would ensure transparent governance. But the film industry, on a growth path, should also reciprocate the gesture, he said. “Issues like bringing in corporate governance should be looked into by you people,” Prasad said, responding to various grievances of the likes of Ghai and Raj Tilak.

The minister further said: “If we want to make India globally competitive (in M&E), then we must have good trained professionals and that is why India could make a mark in the infotech sector.”

Some of the main issues that were raised during the two-hour meeting are as follows:

* Government sops to open institutes for training manpower for the M&E industry as also doing some R&D to locate fresh talent

* Strict implementation of laws regarding piracy and copyright (IMI represented that over the last three years the music industry’s losses have mounted to Rs 18 billion because of rampant piracy and inadequate laws).

* Removing laws that are antiquated and involves government officers approving scripts of foreign productions that result in revenue loss to the government (global companies according to Teamwork Four’s Roy spend about $ 2.5 billion annually on shooting at various locales round the globe and out of which India gets only 1 per cent because of cumbersome laws).

* Rationalisation of taxes and duties on components used in equipment meant for the M&E industry

* Simplifying rules for uplinking and other such issues as broadcasters are forced to go abroad to save on tax (Sahara’s Prasad said withholding tax is one such issue).

* Creation of a national fund to fight piracy with contribution from the government as also adoption of a national task force on issues like IPR.

* Need for co-production treaties.

* Shifting from licence regime to revenue sharing in the FM radio sector.

* Rationalisations of entertainment tax though it’s a state subject.

* Content regulation and clarity in laws regarding that.

Click here for issues related for detailed transcripts of the representations made by the constituents of the entertainment industry

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

1 month ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

1 month ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

1 month ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.