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  • Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    NEW DELHI: Although Indian is almost completely banned in Pakistan now courtesy PEMRA, in India, it became a Catch-22: give in or give up. But, ultimately Karan Johar managed to get an assurance that ‘Ae Dil hai Mushkil’ would be released as scheduled on 28 October, after the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met a film industry delegation along with members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

    However, as reported in a section of the media, All India Television and Film Producers Guild President Mukesh Bhatt denied reports that Johar had promised to give Rs five crore to the Army Welfare Fund. Guild sources told indiantelevision.com that members of the film fraternity had agreed to make contributions to the Fund but no amount had been decided.

    Decision taken by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ban Direct To Home (DTH) service and Indian content meantime was fully endorsed by the Pakistani industry. Famous actor and former director-deneral (DG) of Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Tauqeer Nasir, talking to APP, said that the decision should be taken earlier, but it was never late to make things right. Director Ashir Azeem said that the ban could be a positive step to help domestic cinema. It might help speed up Pakistani productions, he said. PEMRA continued its crackdown against so-called illegal Indian Direct To Home (DTH) devices and cable operators telecasting Indian content. Customs officials and Pemra raided several markets in Islamabad and seized DTH, Indian DTHs, receivers and C-Lines, and Low noise block downconverters (LNBs).

    Back home in India, however, while an assurance was given that all under-production films featuring Pakistani artistes will also be allowed to get released.

    However, the Guild members said they would not take any Pakistani artistes in future in their films. ;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will also carry a special slide paying tribute to the Indian army. But, at the same time, Thackeray said he was confident that the people would boycott the film.

    Those at the meeting included representatives of the Guild, Dharma Productions, and producers Sidharth Roy Kapur, Sajid Nadiadwala and Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios. They all agreed to ensure the safe and smooth release of the film across single screens and multiplexes. “We had a constructive meeting with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the good news is that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will release across all single screens and multiplexes as per schedule on 28 October 2016,” said Bhatt.

    “I have confirmed to the Chief Minister that the Producer’s Guild has decided that going forward, we will not work with Pakistani artistes in the future. Karan Johar said that he will put a special slate saluting our soldiers before the start of the movie. It’s a tribute from us to our soldiers,” he added. Bhatt also revealed, “In addition, some of the producers volunteered to contribute to the Army Welfare Fund. We owe this to the Army.”

    Produced by Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles with popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a cameo.

    Thackeray said that his party had made three demands at the meeting. Apart from the contribution to the Army fund, Thackeray said producers will have to give in writing that they will not take Pakistani actors in their films. The third demand was to have a tribute to the Army.

    Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had extended the Centre’s support to makers of the tilm and assured security to exhibitors amid threats by MNS.

    Last week, Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India announced it would not release movies featuring Pakistani artistes in four states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka.

    In response to the controversy and the calls for a ban on his film, Johar had released a video statement earlier this week.

    In a previous meeting, Fadnavis had assured Johar that the Maharashtra government would not allow anyone to disturb law and order. “The state government would like to reaffirm that the government will not allow anyone to disturb law and order and stern action will be taken. Democratic protest is fine but unlawful activity will not be tolerated,” Fadnavis said.

    Police had also taken strict action against MNS workers on Thursday for protesting and raising slogans outside Metro Cinema in South Mumbai. Twelve activists of the MNS who had gone to Metro theatre to threaten them were arrested and sent to judicial custody till November 4.

  • Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    NEW DELHI: Although Indian is almost completely banned in Pakistan now courtesy PEMRA, in India, it became a Catch-22: give in or give up. But, ultimately Karan Johar managed to get an assurance that ‘Ae Dil hai Mushkil’ would be released as scheduled on 28 October, after the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met a film industry delegation along with members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

    However, as reported in a section of the media, All India Television and Film Producers Guild President Mukesh Bhatt denied reports that Johar had promised to give Rs five crore to the Army Welfare Fund. Guild sources told indiantelevision.com that members of the film fraternity had agreed to make contributions to the Fund but no amount had been decided.

    Decision taken by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ban Direct To Home (DTH) service and Indian content meantime was fully endorsed by the Pakistani industry. Famous actor and former director-deneral (DG) of Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Tauqeer Nasir, talking to APP, said that the decision should be taken earlier, but it was never late to make things right. Director Ashir Azeem said that the ban could be a positive step to help domestic cinema. It might help speed up Pakistani productions, he said. PEMRA continued its crackdown against so-called illegal Indian Direct To Home (DTH) devices and cable operators telecasting Indian content. Customs officials and Pemra raided several markets in Islamabad and seized DTH, Indian DTHs, receivers and C-Lines, and Low noise block downconverters (LNBs).

    Back home in India, however, while an assurance was given that all under-production films featuring Pakistani artistes will also be allowed to get released.

    However, the Guild members said they would not take any Pakistani artistes in future in their films. ;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will also carry a special slide paying tribute to the Indian army. But, at the same time, Thackeray said he was confident that the people would boycott the film.

    Those at the meeting included representatives of the Guild, Dharma Productions, and producers Sidharth Roy Kapur, Sajid Nadiadwala and Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios. They all agreed to ensure the safe and smooth release of the film across single screens and multiplexes. “We had a constructive meeting with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the good news is that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will release across all single screens and multiplexes as per schedule on 28 October 2016,” said Bhatt.

    “I have confirmed to the Chief Minister that the Producer’s Guild has decided that going forward, we will not work with Pakistani artistes in the future. Karan Johar said that he will put a special slate saluting our soldiers before the start of the movie. It’s a tribute from us to our soldiers,” he added. Bhatt also revealed, “In addition, some of the producers volunteered to contribute to the Army Welfare Fund. We owe this to the Army.”

    Produced by Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles with popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a cameo.

    Thackeray said that his party had made three demands at the meeting. Apart from the contribution to the Army fund, Thackeray said producers will have to give in writing that they will not take Pakistani actors in their films. The third demand was to have a tribute to the Army.

    Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had extended the Centre’s support to makers of the tilm and assured security to exhibitors amid threats by MNS.

    Last week, Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India announced it would not release movies featuring Pakistani artistes in four states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka.

    In response to the controversy and the calls for a ban on his film, Johar had released a video statement earlier this week.

    In a previous meeting, Fadnavis had assured Johar that the Maharashtra government would not allow anyone to disturb law and order. “The state government would like to reaffirm that the government will not allow anyone to disturb law and order and stern action will be taken. Democratic protest is fine but unlawful activity will not be tolerated,” Fadnavis said.

    Police had also taken strict action against MNS workers on Thursday for protesting and raising slogans outside Metro Cinema in South Mumbai. Twelve activists of the MNS who had gone to Metro theatre to threaten them were arrested and sent to judicial custody till November 4.

  • Delhi HC notice to Govt on petition seeking cancellation of Ad cap violating pay channels licenses

    Delhi HC notice to Govt on petition seeking cancellation of Ad cap violating pay channels licenses

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Ad cap case is pending before it, the Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on a fresh petition which has charged the ministry with dereliction of its duties to take action against offending Pay TV broadcasters for violating the terms and conditions of the licenses/permission for uplinking and downlinking permission/license.

    Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked the ministry to file its reply in four weeks.

    Notice was issued only to the ministry, although the petition also listed 21st Century Fox Inc., Star India Private Limited, Discovery Communications Inc., and Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) as respondents.

    Although the petition initially came up before a single bench on 19 May, it was directed to be posted before the court of the Chief Justice who is already hearing the other acap case filed by the News Broadcasters Association and others, and was heard on 27 May.

    The petitioners Vikki Choudhry and Home Cable Network Pvt Ltd. have urged the court to issue directions for cancellation of the licences of Star India and Discovery Networks Asia Pacific as they are alleged to be in violation of the license conditions agreed by them under clause 5.2 of the uplinking guidelines and clause 5.1 of the downlinking guidelines, apart from the undertaking in the form of affidavit for the Up-linking and Down-linking Guidelines, and also in violation of the provisions of section 8 of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885. It is alleged that these two have deliberately violated the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and rules thereunder.

    The Court has also been urged to issue writ, order or direction to the two groups to deposit the revenue earned from the advertisement during the last three financial years (FY 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14) with the Consumer Welfare Fund of the Central Government constituted under the Excise Act, 1944

    Directions have also been sought for the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre of the I & B Ministry to monitor all the Pay TV channels broadcast in India and report the violations of the prescribed Advertising Code under the rule 7 (10) and 7(11) of the CTN Rules, 1994 and the CTNR Act, 1995 on monthly/weekly basis.

    The petition has alleged that the Pay TV broadcasters are in continuous violation of the terms of license under the uplinking and downlinking guidelines, and have in their weekly report admitted the same. It said “all the respondent channels are being parties as matter of illustration and ease of pleadings because the rule of minutage of advertisement 12 minutes per clock hour is in existence in several countries and these channels are strictly complying with such directives in other countries whereas they are in continued violations in India”.

    It was pointed out that Star India is a 100 percent subsidiary of 21st Century Fox Inc. and Discovery Networks Asia Pacific is 100 percent subsidiary of Discovery Communications Inc.
    It said the pay TV broadcasters are indulging into profiteering at the expense of poor ordinary consumers in blatant violation of important tariff structure contained in the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines and permissions granted by the Ministry.

    The petitioner said it had given detailed representations to the ministry several times without getting any reply. The petitioner had written to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in this connection but received a reply that the matter pertained to the ministry.

    It has been pointed out that the Indian Broadcasting Foundation had withdrawn its petitions before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal against the Standards of Quality of Service (duration of advertisements in television channels) Regulations 2012 and assured the Tribunal that its members would comply with the law.

  • Delhi HC notice to Govt on petition seeking cancellation of Ad cap violating pay channels licenses

    Delhi HC notice to Govt on petition seeking cancellation of Ad cap violating pay channels licenses

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Ad cap case is pending before it, the Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on a fresh petition which has charged the ministry with dereliction of its duties to take action against offending Pay TV broadcasters for violating the terms and conditions of the licenses/permission for uplinking and downlinking permission/license.

    Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked the ministry to file its reply in four weeks.

    Notice was issued only to the ministry, although the petition also listed 21st Century Fox Inc., Star India Private Limited, Discovery Communications Inc., and Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (South Asia) as respondents.

    Although the petition initially came up before a single bench on 19 May, it was directed to be posted before the court of the Chief Justice who is already hearing the other acap case filed by the News Broadcasters Association and others, and was heard on 27 May.

    The petitioners Vikki Choudhry and Home Cable Network Pvt Ltd. have urged the court to issue directions for cancellation of the licences of Star India and Discovery Networks Asia Pacific as they are alleged to be in violation of the license conditions agreed by them under clause 5.2 of the uplinking guidelines and clause 5.1 of the downlinking guidelines, apart from the undertaking in the form of affidavit for the Up-linking and Down-linking Guidelines, and also in violation of the provisions of section 8 of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885. It is alleged that these two have deliberately violated the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and rules thereunder.

    The Court has also been urged to issue writ, order or direction to the two groups to deposit the revenue earned from the advertisement during the last three financial years (FY 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14) with the Consumer Welfare Fund of the Central Government constituted under the Excise Act, 1944

    Directions have also been sought for the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre of the I & B Ministry to monitor all the Pay TV channels broadcast in India and report the violations of the prescribed Advertising Code under the rule 7 (10) and 7(11) of the CTN Rules, 1994 and the CTNR Act, 1995 on monthly/weekly basis.

    The petition has alleged that the Pay TV broadcasters are in continuous violation of the terms of license under the uplinking and downlinking guidelines, and have in their weekly report admitted the same. It said “all the respondent channels are being parties as matter of illustration and ease of pleadings because the rule of minutage of advertisement 12 minutes per clock hour is in existence in several countries and these channels are strictly complying with such directives in other countries whereas they are in continued violations in India”.

    It was pointed out that Star India is a 100 percent subsidiary of 21st Century Fox Inc. and Discovery Networks Asia Pacific is 100 percent subsidiary of Discovery Communications Inc.
    It said the pay TV broadcasters are indulging into profiteering at the expense of poor ordinary consumers in blatant violation of important tariff structure contained in the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines and permissions granted by the Ministry.

    The petitioner said it had given detailed representations to the ministry several times without getting any reply. The petitioner had written to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in this connection but received a reply that the matter pertained to the ministry.

    It has been pointed out that the Indian Broadcasting Foundation had withdrawn its petitions before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal against the Standards of Quality of Service (duration of advertisements in television channels) Regulations 2012 and assured the Tribunal that its members would comply with the law.

  • Govt partners industry bodies to curb misleading and fake ads

    Govt partners industry bodies to curb misleading and fake ads

    New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs has entered into partnership with the industry associations ASSOCHAM, CII, DICCI, FICCI and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to implement a six point agenda to protect the rights of consumers against misleading advertisements, fake and counterfeit products, and for effective redressal of consumer complaints.

    An MOU in this regard will be signed tomorrow in the presence of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. 

    The MoU will broadly cover the collaborative programmes on developing and implementing a self-regulated code of fair business practices, establishing a consumer affairs division/vertical within the industry body, initiating advocacy action against unfair trade practices and preventing fake, counterfeit and sub-standard products and services and adoption of voluntary standards by Industry members.

    Earmarking of CSR funds for consumer awareness and protection activities, partnering with the National Consumer Helpline and State Consumer Helplines for grievance redressal; launching joint consumer awareness, education and training programmes under the “Jago Grahak Jago” will also be part of the agenda.

    A joint working group will monitor the implementation of agenda. 

    A self-regulation code of ethical business conduct and video spots on consumer advocacy by the industry bodies will also be released during the event.The joint initiatives of the government and the industry bodies will surely go a long way in protecting the interests of the consumers and will be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders. 

    The Department of Consumer Affairs is celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day 2016tomorrow. This is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the International Consumer movement. The World Consumer Rights Day is an opportunity to promote and protect the basic rights of consumers.  

     

  • Govt partners industry bodies to curb misleading and fake ads

    Govt partners industry bodies to curb misleading and fake ads

    New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs has entered into partnership with the industry associations ASSOCHAM, CII, DICCI, FICCI and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to implement a six point agenda to protect the rights of consumers against misleading advertisements, fake and counterfeit products, and for effective redressal of consumer complaints.

    An MOU in this regard will be signed tomorrow in the presence of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. 

    The MoU will broadly cover the collaborative programmes on developing and implementing a self-regulated code of fair business practices, establishing a consumer affairs division/vertical within the industry body, initiating advocacy action against unfair trade practices and preventing fake, counterfeit and sub-standard products and services and adoption of voluntary standards by Industry members.

    Earmarking of CSR funds for consumer awareness and protection activities, partnering with the National Consumer Helpline and State Consumer Helplines for grievance redressal; launching joint consumer awareness, education and training programmes under the “Jago Grahak Jago” will also be part of the agenda.

    A joint working group will monitor the implementation of agenda. 

    A self-regulation code of ethical business conduct and video spots on consumer advocacy by the industry bodies will also be released during the event.The joint initiatives of the government and the industry bodies will surely go a long way in protecting the interests of the consumers and will be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders. 

    The Department of Consumer Affairs is celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day 2016tomorrow. This is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the International Consumer movement. The World Consumer Rights Day is an opportunity to promote and protect the basic rights of consumers.  

     

  • Action taken in 75 complaints of violations by TV channels in last three years, Govt not considering independent mechanism

    Action taken in 75 complaints of violations by TV channels in last three years, Govt not considering independent mechanism

    NEW DELHI: The Government has reiterated that there is no proposal under consideration of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for an independent broadcasting media authority/separate mechanism in the country for complaints relating to media

    I and B Minister Arun Jaitley told Parliament that the adequate provisions in the form of various Acts / Rules / Regulations/ Guidelines already exist with regard to print and electronic Media.

    He also referred to the Inter-Ministerial Committee for TV channels, self-regulatory bodies Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) headed by retired Judge Mukul Mudgal for general entertainment channels, the News Broadcasting Standards Authority for news television channels, the Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and the Press Council of India for print media.

    The BCCC took action in a total of 5036 cases between 2013 and 2015, while the NBSA took action in 1464 complaints between 2012-13 and 2014-15.  

    Thus BCCC had 2298 complaints in 2015, 1791 in 2014 and 947 in 2014. The NBSA -had 110 complaints in 2014-15, 1143 in 2013-14, and 216 in 2012-13  

    Action was taken in 75 complaints relating to violation of Programme or Advertising Codes for Television channels, while the Press council of India heard 521 complaints between 2012-13 and 2015-16.

  • Action taken in 75 complaints of violations by TV channels in last three years, Govt not considering independent mechanism

    Action taken in 75 complaints of violations by TV channels in last three years, Govt not considering independent mechanism

    NEW DELHI: The Government has reiterated that there is no proposal under consideration of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for an independent broadcasting media authority/separate mechanism in the country for complaints relating to media

    I and B Minister Arun Jaitley told Parliament that the adequate provisions in the form of various Acts / Rules / Regulations/ Guidelines already exist with regard to print and electronic Media.

    He also referred to the Inter-Ministerial Committee for TV channels, self-regulatory bodies Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) headed by retired Judge Mukul Mudgal for general entertainment channels, the News Broadcasting Standards Authority for news television channels, the Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and the Press Council of India for print media.

    The BCCC took action in a total of 5036 cases between 2013 and 2015, while the NBSA took action in 1464 complaints between 2012-13 and 2014-15.  

    Thus BCCC had 2298 complaints in 2015, 1791 in 2014 and 947 in 2014. The NBSA -had 110 complaints in 2014-15, 1143 in 2013-14, and 216 in 2012-13  

    Action was taken in 75 complaints relating to violation of Programme or Advertising Codes for Television channels, while the Press council of India heard 521 complaints between 2012-13 and 2015-16.

  • Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has denied that any of its All India Radio or Doordarshan channels are non-functional.

    Parliament was informed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore that Doordarshan has 67 kendra and All India Radio has 416 Stations including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. 

    As part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters.

    In addition, 64 AIR transmitters have been approved for up gradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan.

    While there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country, the Minister said that the project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan. 

    There are 228 high power and 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country.
    He said there was no proposal to set up new transmitters except in border areas in view of multichannel TV coverage provided through Doordarshan’s free to air Freedish.

  • Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    Govt denies any AIR or DD stations non-functional; no new programmes for growth of DD in view of Freedish

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has denied that any of its All India Radio or Doordarshan channels are non-functional.

    Parliament was informed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore that Doordarshan has 67 kendra and All India Radio has 416 Stations including low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters. 

    As part of the continuing scheme of 11th Plan and 12th Plan, 86 new AIR Stations have been approved to be set up in various parts of the country particularly remote/backward/rural areas. These include low capacity 100 Watt FM Relay Transmitters.

    In addition, 64 AIR transmitters have been approved for up gradation under 12th Plan including continuing schemes of the 11th Plan.

    While there is no approved scheme to setup new Doordarshan Kendra in any part of country including remote/ backward/ rural areas of the country, the Minister said that the project of upgradation of existing low power transmitter at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to 5KW high power transmitter has been approved as part of continuing scheme of 11th Plan. 

    There are 228 high power and 810 low power TV transmitters in the country including those located in backward / tribal and remote areas of the country.
    He said there was no proposal to set up new transmitters except in border areas in view of multichannel TV coverage provided through Doordarshan’s free to air Freedish.