[cr-india] INDIA: Broadcast Bill to be tabled in budget session New Bill expected to expand the freedoms of community radio

[sakthi vel]

The government on Monday said the Broadcast Services
Regulation Bill, 2006, will be introduced in the
Budget Session of Parliament next year.

"The minister has already said the new Broadcast Bill
will be brought in the Budget session of Parliament,"
Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, S
K Arora told reporters here on the sidelines of a
FICCI function.

He, however, declined to comment on the details of the
controversial Bill, whose draft had drawn ire from
many quarters, especially television channels claiming
it would infringe on their freedom.

I&B Minister PR Dasmunshi had, however, clarified that
the new Bill would ensure there was no interference in
the current affairs and news desk of any channel.

Commenting on the liberalisation policy of Community
Radio, Arora said the recommendation from the ministry
had already been sent to the Cabinet.

"We have taken a policy to the Cabinet and we are
coming out with further liberalisation of community
radio," he said.

About 60 licenses for community radio have been given
and several thousands of community radio stations are
expected in future, he said, adding apart from
educational institutions, NGOs could also be allowed
to run community radio service.

A group of minister (GoM) had recently cleared the
policy drawn up by the I&B ministry on community
radio, proposing even NGOs and other non-profit
organisations to run low per radio stations with
limited advertising.(Times of India Monday, November
13, 2006)
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Source:http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=57612

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   Jaisakthivel 
  Chennai, India. 

     
   
   



		
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