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Tag: Information and Broadcasting Ministry

  • MSOs finally cross 1000 as pan-India DAS deadline nears

    MSOs finally cross 1000 as pan-India DAS deadline nears

    NEW DELHI: With less than three months to go for the deadline of the final phase which will complete cable digitlization all over the country, the total number of multi-system operators has finally crossed 1000 with 774 getting provisional licences till 30 September 2016.

    The deadline is 31 December 2016.

    The number of permanent licences (up to 10 years) remains at 229 and the total therefore is 1003 MSOs.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry today released the list of 29 MSOs whose licences have been cancelled and cases closed. In addition, there are four cases in which some high courts have stayed the cancellation orders in petitions filed by these MSOs.

    Until 2 June this year, the number of cases closed was 27, and so the number has gone up by another two. In most of the other cases in the list of cancelled registrations, it is because of failure to get security clearance from the home ministry. However, there are cases of many MSOs holding provisional licences not completing certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    Four MSOs earlier in the cancellation list have been restored licences. They include Silverline Entertainment, Eminent Cable Networks, and Skynet Digital Services which got security clearance from the Home Ministry and Tanuku Communication Network of Andhra Pradesh which has got provisional licence.

    According to the latest list up to 30 September 2016, the areas of operation of four MSOs have been revised after 30 September 2016 (three in the permanent list and one in the provisional list).

    Of the new licencees, three – Radient Digitek Network Pvt. Ltd of Rajasthan, Dabang Duniya Publication Pvt. Ltd of Madhya Pradesh, and Alfa Cable of Mumbai – have got pan-India licences, though Radient is minus Rajasthan.

    The other new registrations after June 2016 include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Telengana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya.

    With the home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

    In the last meeting of the DAS Task Force, MIB joint secretary had said that there were six thousand MSOs in the country but only a handful of them had come forward to register.

  • MSOs finally cross 1000 as pan-India DAS deadline nears

    MSOs finally cross 1000 as pan-India DAS deadline nears

    NEW DELHI: With less than three months to go for the deadline of the final phase which will complete cable digitlization all over the country, the total number of multi-system operators has finally crossed 1000 with 774 getting provisional licences till 30 September 2016.

    The deadline is 31 December 2016.

    The number of permanent licences (up to 10 years) remains at 229 and the total therefore is 1003 MSOs.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry today released the list of 29 MSOs whose licences have been cancelled and cases closed. In addition, there are four cases in which some high courts have stayed the cancellation orders in petitions filed by these MSOs.

    Until 2 June this year, the number of cases closed was 27, and so the number has gone up by another two. In most of the other cases in the list of cancelled registrations, it is because of failure to get security clearance from the home ministry. However, there are cases of many MSOs holding provisional licences not completing certain formalities relating to shareholders and so on.

    Four MSOs earlier in the cancellation list have been restored licences. They include Silverline Entertainment, Eminent Cable Networks, and Skynet Digital Services which got security clearance from the Home Ministry and Tanuku Communication Network of Andhra Pradesh which has got provisional licence.

    According to the latest list up to 30 September 2016, the areas of operation of four MSOs have been revised after 30 September 2016 (three in the permanent list and one in the provisional list).

    Of the new licencees, three – Radient Digitek Network Pvt. Ltd of Rajasthan, Dabang Duniya Publication Pvt. Ltd of Madhya Pradesh, and Alfa Cable of Mumbai – have got pan-India licences, though Radient is minus Rajasthan.

    The other new registrations after June 2016 include the states of, or specific districts in, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Telengana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya.

    With the home ministry directive about doing away with security clearances for MSOs not being communicated in writing to the MIB, the pace remains slow.

    The permanent licence issued to Kal Cable of Chennai had been cancelled on 20 August 2014, but this cancellation was set aside by Madras High Court on 5 September the same year. However, Kal Cable’s name continues to be in the cancelled list – presumably because the cases are still pending.

    In the last meeting of the DAS Task Force, MIB joint secretary had said that there were six thousand MSOs in the country but only a handful of them had come forward to register.

  • Over 4000 films received for Swachh Bharat Short Film Festival

    Over 4000 films received for Swachh Bharat Short Film Festival

    NEW DELHI: Over 4000 entries have been received from across the country in various Indian languages on the theme of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

    The winners of the best films will be felicitated by Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on 2 October 2016. MoS I and B Rajyavardhan Rathore will also be present on the occasion.

    The Swachh Bharat Short Film Festival was organized by the National Film Development Corporation on behalf of the Ministry. The key objective of the Festival was to generate awareness, inspire people and include them as stakeholders in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

    The short films festival was a competition inviting films of duration not more than 3 minutes. The jury comprised eminent theatre and film actor–producer Vani Tripathi, award-winning filmmaker Ms. Gitanjali Rao, and celebrated advertising personality Prahlad Kakar, has selected 20 short films out of the 4346 entries.

    The Directors of the top ten films would be given cash awards of Rs 10 lakhs (One Million for top film), Rs 500,000 (next three films) and Rs 200,000 respectively (last 6 films), while the next ten would be awarded certificates. All participants would be given certificates of participation.

  • Over 4000 films received for Swachh Bharat Short Film Festival

    Over 4000 films received for Swachh Bharat Short Film Festival

    NEW DELHI: Over 4000 entries have been received from across the country in various Indian languages on the theme of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

    The winners of the best films will be felicitated by Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on 2 October 2016. MoS I and B Rajyavardhan Rathore will also be present on the occasion.

    The Swachh Bharat Short Film Festival was organized by the National Film Development Corporation on behalf of the Ministry. The key objective of the Festival was to generate awareness, inspire people and include them as stakeholders in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

    The short films festival was a competition inviting films of duration not more than 3 minutes. The jury comprised eminent theatre and film actor–producer Vani Tripathi, award-winning filmmaker Ms. Gitanjali Rao, and celebrated advertising personality Prahlad Kakar, has selected 20 short films out of the 4346 entries.

    The Directors of the top ten films would be given cash awards of Rs 10 lakhs (One Million for top film), Rs 500,000 (next three films) and Rs 200,000 respectively (last 6 films), while the next ten would be awarded certificates. All participants would be given certificates of participation.

  • Cap on TV ads, challenge to stay ‘action against channels’ hearing put off

    Cap on TV ads, challenge to stay ‘action against channels’ hearing put off

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today adjourned the hearing of the ad cap on television channels again, this time to 12 January 2017, with no resolution in sight to the imbroglio.

    Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangeeta Dhingra told the counsel present when the matter came up that it would be heard at the next date. No reason was attributed by the Court for the adjournment.

    On 1 August 2016, the matter was put off to today by the chief justice and Justice Jayant Nath as they did not have time to hear the matter in view of part-heard cases. 

    In the hearing on 29 March 2016, a plea was made on behalf of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that a proposal was being contemplated to amend the relevant provision relating to limiting ads to 12 minutes an hour.

    (Thus, the hearing will come up almost two years after then I and B Minister Arun Jaitley had said at a public function that he did not see the need for any kind caps on the media.)

    When the case comes up next, the court is also expected to take up an application by the intervenor — Home Cable Network Pvt Ltd — seeking vacation of the order staying action against violating television channels.

    On 13 May 2016, the court had agreed to take up vacation of stay at the next hearing. The court had, on 11 February 2016, agreed to take up the application by Discovery Communications to intervene in the matter. 

    Earlier, on 27 November 2015, the court presided over by the chief justice had said the matter had been pending for sometime and, therefore, it would hear and conclude the case in the next hearing. 

    On that day, MIB had informed the court that it was in talks with the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and other stakeholders on the issue of the advertising cap. This was the first time that the ministry had put in an appearance in the petition filed by the NBA against the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and others.

    The case, filed by NBA and others against TRAI and the Union Government, has so far been adjourned from time to time on the plea that the government and the broadcasters are in talks on this issue.

    The court has already directed that the order that TRAI would not take any action against any channel pending the petition would continue. In an earlier hearing, the court had, at the regulator’s instance, directed that all channels keep a record of the advertisements run by them.

    The NBA had challenged the ad cap rule, contending that TRAI does not have jurisdiction to regulate commercial airtime on television channels. Apart from the NBA, the petitions have been filed by Sarthak Entertainment, Pioneer Channel Factory, E24 Glamorus, Sun TV Network, TV Vision, B4U Broadband, 9X Media, Kalaignar, Celebrities Management, Eanadu Television and Raj Television.

    Meanwhile, a separate petition filed in the High Court by Vikki Choudhry and Home Cable Network Pvt Ltd., which too will be heard on the next date, seeks to charge MIB with dereliction of duties to take action against offending pay TV broadcasters for violating the terms and conditions of the licenses/permission for Uplinking and Downlinking.

    The Court had in June asked the Ministry to file its reply in four weeks. Notice was issued only to the Ministry, although the petition also listed several other broadcasting companies as respondents. 

    ALSO READ:  Ad cap & linked case put off to Sept; court to hear plea against stay order

  • Cap on TV ads, challenge to stay ‘action against channels’ hearing put off

    Cap on TV ads, challenge to stay ‘action against channels’ hearing put off

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today adjourned the hearing of the ad cap on television channels again, this time to 12 January 2017, with no resolution in sight to the imbroglio.

    Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangeeta Dhingra told the counsel present when the matter came up that it would be heard at the next date. No reason was attributed by the Court for the adjournment.

    On 1 August 2016, the matter was put off to today by the chief justice and Justice Jayant Nath as they did not have time to hear the matter in view of part-heard cases. 

    In the hearing on 29 March 2016, a plea was made on behalf of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that a proposal was being contemplated to amend the relevant provision relating to limiting ads to 12 minutes an hour.

    (Thus, the hearing will come up almost two years after then I and B Minister Arun Jaitley had said at a public function that he did not see the need for any kind caps on the media.)

    When the case comes up next, the court is also expected to take up an application by the intervenor — Home Cable Network Pvt Ltd — seeking vacation of the order staying action against violating television channels.

    On 13 May 2016, the court had agreed to take up vacation of stay at the next hearing. The court had, on 11 February 2016, agreed to take up the application by Discovery Communications to intervene in the matter. 

    Earlier, on 27 November 2015, the court presided over by the chief justice had said the matter had been pending for sometime and, therefore, it would hear and conclude the case in the next hearing. 

    On that day, MIB had informed the court that it was in talks with the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and other stakeholders on the issue of the advertising cap. This was the first time that the ministry had put in an appearance in the petition filed by the NBA against the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and others.

    The case, filed by NBA and others against TRAI and the Union Government, has so far been adjourned from time to time on the plea that the government and the broadcasters are in talks on this issue.

    The court has already directed that the order that TRAI would not take any action against any channel pending the petition would continue. In an earlier hearing, the court had, at the regulator’s instance, directed that all channels keep a record of the advertisements run by them.

    The NBA had challenged the ad cap rule, contending that TRAI does not have jurisdiction to regulate commercial airtime on television channels. Apart from the NBA, the petitions have been filed by Sarthak Entertainment, Pioneer Channel Factory, E24 Glamorus, Sun TV Network, TV Vision, B4U Broadband, 9X Media, Kalaignar, Celebrities Management, Eanadu Television and Raj Television.

    Meanwhile, a separate petition filed in the High Court by Vikki Choudhry and Home Cable Network Pvt Ltd., which too will be heard on the next date, seeks to charge MIB with dereliction of duties to take action against offending pay TV broadcasters for violating the terms and conditions of the licenses/permission for Uplinking and Downlinking.

    The Court had in June asked the Ministry to file its reply in four weeks. Notice was issued only to the Ministry, although the petition also listed several other broadcasting companies as respondents. 

    ALSO READ:  Ad cap & linked case put off to Sept; court to hear plea against stay order

  • Non-news temporary uplinking approvals in 15 days

    Non-news temporary uplinking approvals in 15 days

    NEW DELHI: Applications from all non-news (general entertainment) television companies for temporary uplinking permission from the Government should be made at least 15 days prior to the scheduled events.

    In a note put up on its website, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said such applications would be rejected if they did not follow the norms as mentioned in the application form of temporary uplinking permission.

    The note said: “It may be borne in mind that after permission from this Ministry, the WPC wing under Communications and Information Technology Ministry also requires minimum three days time to process such applications.”

    It said strict compliance with these instructions will ensure timeliness in processing of the requests.

    The note said: “It has been observed in this Ministry that, while applying for permission for uplinking of various events for temporary uplinking permission, some applicants are applying at the very last moment, sometimes just a few days prior to or the day before the scheduled events, thus not allowing this Ministry even the minimum processing time to work on those applications.”

    It had been notified from time to time, the last being on 9 January 2015 on the Ministry’s website, that applications are required to be submitted at least l5 days prior to the proposed date of uplinking of the event.

  • Non-news temporary uplinking approvals in 15 days

    Non-news temporary uplinking approvals in 15 days

    NEW DELHI: Applications from all non-news (general entertainment) television companies for temporary uplinking permission from the Government should be made at least 15 days prior to the scheduled events.

    In a note put up on its website, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said such applications would be rejected if they did not follow the norms as mentioned in the application form of temporary uplinking permission.

    The note said: “It may be borne in mind that after permission from this Ministry, the WPC wing under Communications and Information Technology Ministry also requires minimum three days time to process such applications.”

    It said strict compliance with these instructions will ensure timeliness in processing of the requests.

    The note said: “It has been observed in this Ministry that, while applying for permission for uplinking of various events for temporary uplinking permission, some applicants are applying at the very last moment, sometimes just a few days prior to or the day before the scheduled events, thus not allowing this Ministry even the minimum processing time to work on those applications.”

    It had been notified from time to time, the last being on 9 January 2015 on the Ministry’s website, that applications are required to be submitted at least l5 days prior to the proposed date of uplinking of the event.

  • Exercise restraint, Bengaluru police tells news b’casters

    Exercise restraint, Bengaluru police tells news b’casters

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry advised television channels to avoid life telecasts or file shots of violence or rioting linked to the Cauvery dispute, the Bengaluru Police has issued a similar directive for channels reporting from Karnataka.

    An order issued by Bengaluru police commissioner N S Megarikh yesterday advised television channels to follow the provisions of the Programme Code ‘scrupulously and exercise restraint and sensitivity while reporting such incidents and refrain from telecasting any material which  could ignite passions and create law and order problem in the city.’

    The directive also said that violation of its advisory may lead to prosecution of the offenders under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995.

    Noting that it had come to its notice that certain television channels had been telecasting provocative and inflammatory news / programmes relating to the Cauvery dispute including footage of violence, the advisory said that this may lead to further tension, resulting in a deterioration of the law and order situation.

    The Advisory quoted the relevant provisions in the Act as well as the uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

    Also read:
     

  • Exercise restraint, Bengaluru police tells news b’casters

    Exercise restraint, Bengaluru police tells news b’casters

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry advised television channels to avoid life telecasts or file shots of violence or rioting linked to the Cauvery dispute, the Bengaluru Police has issued a similar directive for channels reporting from Karnataka.

    An order issued by Bengaluru police commissioner N S Megarikh yesterday advised television channels to follow the provisions of the Programme Code ‘scrupulously and exercise restraint and sensitivity while reporting such incidents and refrain from telecasting any material which  could ignite passions and create law and order problem in the city.’

    The directive also said that violation of its advisory may lead to prosecution of the offenders under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995.

    Noting that it had come to its notice that certain television channels had been telecasting provocative and inflammatory news / programmes relating to the Cauvery dispute including footage of violence, the advisory said that this may lead to further tension, resulting in a deterioration of the law and order situation.

    The Advisory quoted the relevant provisions in the Act as well as the uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

    Also read: