Tag: information and broadcasting

DD News goes mobile, launches app

MUMBAI: In its efforts to make the channel available far and wide especially on new platforms, DD News has launched the new mobile app to make live TV, news feed and top videos available on smart phones.

The app was launched by the Finance, Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister Arun Jaitley.

The DD News mobile app has a user friendly interface and is available even in poor network conditions. Both Android and iPhone versions of the app are available.

Speaking at the launch he said that in view of the multifarious channels of information dissemination, the objective presentation of news should never become a casualty. While the news domain currently was event based, competitive and anchor driven, there still existed space for news based on facts and correct information. The audience for information was extremely keen to have a comprehensive view of issues and events. At the same time the credibility of presenting objective news depended on the ability to update information consistently.

Elaborating further, Jaitley said that the launch of the application by DD News was an important milestone for Prasar Bharati as it catered to the information needs of the pan-Indian audience. It also provided DD News a platform to instantly communicate the objective news on a 24×7 basis and added a new dimension to its profile in addressing the vast needs of the Indian audience. The app also seeks to adress the changing profile of viewers who today sought information through the app mode.

Regarding the e-version of India-2015 and Bharat-2015, Jaitley said the availability of these publications on e-mode would enable the digital medium audience to utilize the wealth of information on India at large. By placing itself on the digital mode, Publications Division was in tune with the contemporary changes taking place in the publications industry. It was imperative to constantly and consistently improve the ongoing efforts to go digital. The focus of the e-book was to present the content in a multi-media, reader friendly format with pictures and embedded videos.

The e-version of the India/ Bharat-2015, reference annual was aimed at providing better reading experience to public. These e-books are easily downloadable and supported by major operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows etc. The e-India / e-Bharat has a variety of reader-friendly features like search ability, hyperlinks, easy referencing, assured back up and retrieval.

May 7, 2015
SC Committee suggests setting up ombudsman to monitor govt ads

NEW DELHI: The Government has spent over Rs 780 crore by way of advertisements, of which a major part went to audio-visual advertisements, during the past six months till March this year.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said these advertisements were issued through the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.

Rathore said in Parliament that a Committee set up by the Supreme Court for suggesting the guidelines on Government funded advertisements following a writ petition filed had advocated appointment of an ombudsman to receive complaints of violation of guidelines prepared by them and to recommend action in accordance with the guidelines.

The Committee also suggested that the ombudsman could recommend suitable changes to the Guidelines to deal with new circumstances and situations. Supreme Court took up the concerned writ petition for hearing on 17 February, 2015 when it reserved its judgment.

The details of the expenditure by DAVP in the last six months are:

April 29, 2015
Kisan channel launch postponed yet again, trial runs on

NEW DELHI: Kisan TV, which was earlier slated to launch on Baisakhi Day (14 April), has been postponed to May. This is not the first time that the launch date of the 24-hour channel, devoted to farmers and rural India, has been pushed forward. The channel, which will be run by Doordarshan, was initially slated for launch in Makar Sankarti Day on 14 January.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said that the delay had been caused as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not in the country, though DD sources had earlier informed Indiantelevision.com that the channel may be launched on 21 April.

Jaitley said the preparations for the launch of the channel were at an advanced stage and that the trial runs were on.

A budget of Rs 100 crore had been set aside in July last year in the Budget but a sum of Rs 90 crore had been allocated for this in 2015-16.

Jaitley was speaking after inaugurating Delhi’s Vividh Bharati channel of All India Radio (AIR) on FM Mode.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which also examines issues linked to I&B Ministry said in a recent report that emphasis should be laid on local dialect on regional basis so that farmers all across the country are able to access the channel in their local language/dialect, thereby getting benefited by this laudable initiative of the Government.

April 14, 2015
Media can transform rural poor’s life by providing info on central scheme: Rathore

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that media can transform the lives of the people living in rural areas by providing information about welfare schemes.

He said that the emergence of internet and social media has brought about an information revolution in the country. He underlined that there is need to build capacities of rural journalists for establishing better reach to the people in rural areas.

He stated this in a message read out at the opening of a one-day Regional Media Conference organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on strengthening information dissemination on Government policies and programmes in rural areas at Jobner near Jaipur this week.

About 70 regional journalists including stringers of newspapers and news channels participated in the one-day conference.

One of the major objectives of the conference was receiving feedback from journalists working in rural areas on their information needs. During the interactive sessions, the participants wanted more interactions of this kind in the future and wanted a mechanism for enhanced information flow from PIB on central government schemes to rural journalists.

In his keynote address, senior journalist Yashwant Vyas said that rural journalists have a major role in highlighting issues of local importance on which they should report fearlessly. Senior journalists Rajendra Boda, Pratap Rao, Ashok Chaturvedi and Shakti Singh addressed journalists on issues including role of different media in effective information flow in rural areas. A session on the role of media in disaster management was conducted by Bijendra Singh, who is officer on Special Duty of the State Disaster Management Department of Rajasthan.

The participants were also given orientation on the role of new/social media in information dissemination.

March 14, 2015
CBFC took unilateral decision to put list of offensive words on hold: Rathore

NEW DELHI: The Parliament was informed on 13 March that the list of 28 “objectionable and abusive” words suggested for banning from Indian films by Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Pahlaj Nahalani was held back. This, because a need was felt to consult on the same with people from different sections of society.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Lok Sabha today that the decision in this regard had been taken by the Board in a meeting on 23 February.

The Minister also said that the list of objectionable words circulated by Nihalani on 12 February this year had been compiled by regional offices of the CBFC in 2003.

Meanwhile, a Ministry official told Indiantelevision.com last month that any decision in this regard may have been taken at the level of the Board or by its chairman, who had issued the list leading to protests from some members.

Rathore had earlier said, “CBFC under the Ministry certifies films for public screening in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 provides principles for guidance in certifying films. Guidelines for certification of films notified under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules lay down among other things that CBFC shall be guided by the following principles in this regard: (i) human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity or depravity; and (ii) such dual meaning words as obviously cater to baser instincts are not allowed.”

In a circular to the producers’ association and regional officers, the Board had last month listed several “objectionable words” that are being used in films and directed its regional officers to ensure a ban on the list of cuss words. It also aimed to seek more conformity from directors and scriptwriters on cultural matters and political correctness. It also said Mumbai should be used in place of Bombay.

The list led to a Twitter war of words, where some members said Nihalani had taken the decision unilaterally.

However, Nihalani told Indiantelevision.com that he was within his rights to issue the list as he was only using the powers given to him under the Cinematograph Act and was only referring to words that the Certification Guidelines do not allow.

March 13, 2015
Puthiya Thalaimurai’s office bombed; I&B state minister condemns attack

MUMBAI: News is a tough business is something we all know. But it can be life threatening too. That’s something journalists at Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai must be feeling.

The channel’s office in Chennai was attacked by four men on two motorcycle who hurled crude bombs packed in a lunch box at 3 am on Thursday morning. No one was inured nor was there any damage to Puthiya Thailaimura’s office.

Media reports indicate that the channel had become the target of fringe right wing fundamentalist groups who had been threatening its management ever since it aired promos about a programme debating the importance of mangalsutra in India. A cameraman working for the channel was assaulted earlier this week by some protesters who had gathered outside its office.

The channel’s management decided to not go ahead with the telecast, say reports, and sought police protection. Even though that was provided, it did not deter the attackers.

The attack led to protests from journalists associations in Chennai who protested that media freedom was increasingly coming under pressure in India. While earlier, it was restricted to print media, it had now extended to TV reporters too.

The police announced later in the evening that it had identified the six attackers from CCTV footage and arrested them. All the suspects reportedly belonged to Hindu Illaignar Sena, a little-known outfit functioning from Koyambedu, in Chennai.

Union Minister of state for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore later in the day told PTI that the the act against Puthiya Thailaimura’s office was “unacceptable”.

He told the news service that “this is not acceptable in our country. The programmes of television are governed by a programe code which is part of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. Viewers are free to write to us (I&B ministry), to the News Broadcasters Association, Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) or to Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) if its regarding any advertisement if they feel. Nobody is allowed to take law in his hand. ”

March 12, 2015
Age of superannuation for all employees continues to be 60 years: Prasar Bharati

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to put an end to the controversy that had arisen around six months back about announcers and radio jockeys in All India Radio (AIR), the Government told Parliament today that “the age of superannuation for all employees of Prasar Bharati (including announcers and newsreaders) is 60 years.”

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said this information had been conveyed to the government by Prasar Bharati.

In October last year after talks of voice modulation tests raised controversy, All India Radio had said it will not consider the age of its radio jockeys when conducting skill and voice modulation tests.

Noting that ‘monotony is venom for any broadcaster’, AIR Director General F Sheheryar had told indiantelevision.com at that time that a broadcaster needs to recreate itself to remain popular.

While stressing that none of the radio jockeys were permanent employees and were on contract for presenting programmes for a maximum of six days a month, Sheheryar said that some of the presenters had gone to court in Kolkata but had lost the case.

He stressed that most of them were either employed elsewhere and working part-time for AIR or were doing this work as a hobby or to supplement income. ‘None of them are employees of AIR,’ he emphasised.

He said that the rule relating to voice modulation and skill tests for radio jockeys beyond 35 years of age had always been there, but AIR will concentrate on the tests instead of considering the age.

Sheheryar had said, “AIR has no plans whatsoever to sack anybody. We would conduct a voice test for all and ensure each casual/ RJs/Announcer gets a chance to prove their versatility in front of the microphone.”

Earlier in mid-June, AIR had clarified that the directive asking certain presenters and radio jockeys to quit because they have crossed the age bar for the channels in which they were working was only implementation of the relevant audition rules.

February 24, 2015
Increase in FDI cap: a boon or a curse?

MUMBAI: From a recent speech of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Arun Jaitley, speculation was drawn of a probable increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) cap from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. The current government has always been in favour of FDI and on numerous occasions stated FDI as one of the major aspects behind economic growth and reform.

The government has already taken steps towards increasing FDI in various departments, railway and defense being among them. Hence the speculation of increase in FDI cap in media may soon turn into reality.

Foreign investment will certainly ensure development of channels, more employment and better quality, but will it in return take away editorial freedom? Will Indian media be a victim of foreign dictatorship or will it manage to keep its integrity alive despite foreign investment? Will we have Indian CEOs and reporters after the investment or will strategic affairs slip away from Indian entrepreneurs? A larger democratic debate on the issue is extremely important and Indiantelevision.com took the initiative to find the answers from media stalwarts.

NDTV executive vice chairperson KVL Narayan Rao said, “On this FDI development my comments are personal remarks and not a point of view of the company. I welcome this increase whole heartedly as it will allow more investments and result to better service in terms of producing quality programmes. And the only difference we are having is added investment; we will continue to have Indian editor in chiefs, reporters and video journalists.”

On the speculated increase in FDI cap to 49 per cent, News Nation network CEO RK Arora said, “Increase in FDI will be extremely favourable, news industry needs to expand and the increase in FDI cap to 49 per cent will be a boon for us. Moreover we see increase in other departments so why not in this industry. If we are to match the standards with international content we need investments from foreign investors.”

For Arora, there is no harm in increasing FDI to 49 per cent “but the investment should not dictate the strategic affairs, and there shouldn’t be any interference in editorial freedom,” he added.

Though the news industry is extremely positive about the possible increase, none of them are ready to compromise with strategic and editorial affairs.

Focus News managing editor Shailesh Kumar said, “If FDI is increased in news it would be a very good decision as most of the channels are going through a tough time and we need investment from other sources to rejuvenate the industry.”

ABP News CEO Ashok Venkatramani is of the same opinion. “We (ABP News) are in total favour of the increase and I don’t see any possibilities of editorial or strategic affairs getting influenced due to any investment. If this actually happens then we will develop and grow big. Hence I am very happy that the point has been raised. We welcome the increase in FDI cap,” he said.

No second thoughts came from any of channels; while they unanimously welcomed the increase in FDI cap to 49 per cent, they also held a firm grip on not compromising with editorial or strategic affairs.

Now it remains to be seen how things develop and whether the issue is debated at the top level. Considering the fact that the current government is concentrating on building an open market scenario to ensure economic growth and reform, speculations of a possible increase in FDI cap to 49 per cent can soon be a reality.

January 27, 2015
Publication division needs to adopt new technology, e-commerce: Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has asked the publication division to adapt itself through technological tools, e-commerce, business models, online publications etc.

According to the Minister, crowd sourcing has become a principal tool to involve people in bringing about change and innovation and enhancing outreach through people’s involvement.

The Minister has invited suggestions from youngsters regarding the future role of publication division in the changed scenario where it has undergone a drastic change both in content and technology.

Presenting the Bhartendu Harishchandra Awards for promotion of Hindi writers for the years 2011 and 2012, Javadekar said the growing literacy in the country was a catalyst to promote relevant contemporary writings.

The role of publication division was much more beyond mere publishing. As a Government institution the future road map lay in identifying benchmarks so as to ensure people had access to good quality publications. Literature remained the principal catalyst to promote creativity across different sections of society. This was a time tested exercise and it provided the people a sense of satisfaction across all age groups.

The Minister also called upon the publication division to explore the possibility of starting a special series/collection of prominent books/works on eminent personalities.

He also said while the prize money of Bhartendu Harishchandra Awards would be enhanced, a special category of awards to promote original writings focusing on all round development of adolescent girls would be instituted from next time. The objective of the new awards was to encourage the spirit of women empowerment from the adolescent stage of growth for girls.

The Minister also announced that the award function would be held every year on 9 September being the birth anniversary of the eminent writer. These awards were presented on the birth anniversary of renowned Hindi writer Bharatendu Harishchandra for the first time this year.

One of the key initiatives of the Ministry was to promote books and manuscripts original writing in Hindi, the Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards have been presented by the publication division annually since 1983. Bharatendu Harishchandra paved the renaissance for Hindi language and literature.

The awards were initially given in Journalism and Mass Communication. The other three categories, viz., National Integration, Women’s Issues and Children’s Literature were added in 1992. Original writing in Hindi by Indian authors is the eligibility criteria for the award.

For the year 2011, the first prize in the Journalism and Mass Communication category was awarded to Vijay Dutt Shridhar for his manuscript ‘Pehla Sampadakiya’. Harish Chandra Barnwal’s book ‘Television ki Bhasha’ has been chosen for the second prize in this category. The third prize went to Santosh Kumar Nirmal for his book ‘Filmein aur Prachar: Tab se ab tak’.

In the Women’s Issues category, the award was conferred on Gitashri for her manuscript ‘Aurat ki Boli’ while for National Integration went to Dr. Navratan Kapoor for the book “Tyoharon Tatha Melon ki Vichitratain, Jansanchar Maadhyam aur Rashtriya Ekta”.

The first prize in Children’s Literature category for the same year was given to Bano Sartaj for her book ‘Pakya aur Parichham’ and the second prize to Rajiv Saxena for ‘Professor Khurana ka Clone’.

For 2012, the first prize in Journalism and Mass Communication category was awarded to Vijaya Lakshmi Sinha’s ‘Maine Awaaz ko Dekha’, while the second and third prize was conferred on Madhav Hada for his book titled ‘Seedhiyaan Chadhta Media’ and Suresh Kumar’s ‘Online Media’ won the third prize.

In Women’s Issues category in 2012, Urmila Kumari’s book ‘Jaar Jaar Taar Taar’ was selected for the first prize while Dr. Sanjula Thanvi’s book ‘Manavaadhikar, Panchayati Raj Se Sashakt Naari’ was selected for the second prize.

In Children’s Literature category Dr. Mohammed Arshad Khan’s book ‘Mickey Mouse’ won the first Prize and the book ‘Phoolon se Pyar’ by Pavitra Agrawal received the second prize.

September 10, 2014
No plans to impose censorship or regulate social media: Javadekar

NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that there were and are no plans to impose any censorship on social media or to regulate any programmes beamed through social media.

The Minister told the Parliament that the Communication and Information Technology Ministry has given an assurance in this regard.

Social media has become an important tool that is also being used by government departments to reach out to the people. Although he highlighted that section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000 allows blocking of any videos or information affecting society in the interest of public order.

Earlier in the month of May, Javadekar had urged all central Ministries to disseminate their policy initiatives through the Communication Hub under the existing New Media Wing of his Ministry.

Firmly believing in prolific use of social media, the Minister wrote to his cabinet colleagues for utilising the hub as a one-stop place for social media outreach.

In his letter, he said each Ministry or department may liaise with the New Media Wing which will cater to all its needs such as disseminating information through packaging and placing of content, wider reach through variety of tools and response management.

He said the two-way interaction envisaged in this endeavour would provide a 360 degree communication approach to the government and hence, help in last man connectivity.

He said the directive was in adherence to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wanted to use the social media platforms extensively for transparency and better governance.

August 7, 2014