Within 45 days of assuming the office of the Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Ambika Soni is already in the thick of things. She has set the ball rolling on several key policy issues concerning her ministry. Bringing greater efficiency and transparency in the overall functioning of I&B ministry and Prasar Bharati are part of her mission. Soni speaks her mind on all key issues in a candid chat with ASHISH SINHA. Edited excerpts:
When you took charge, coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2010 was among your priority area as Doordarshan is the host broadcaster. Can you give us an update on it?
Yes, I have devoted the last one month on this issue as it is the most important one for us. The Commonwealth Games 2010 will showcase India to the world. My ministry has been able to take the process forward that began late last year when an expression of interest (EoI) was floated. After several meetings and consultations, we will soon announce the eligible shortlisted companies (two, four or five out of the 10 who had applied). Once that is done, in next six weeks we will be awarding the contract to one of the short listed firm who will produce the game coverage for us. I am all for a clean and transparent functioning and I am ensuring that it is done.
There have been several pending policy initiatives with the I&B ministry. Is there a forward movement on some of them?
I am aware of the pile of pending work at our end. I will tackle all of them one by one. For the first three months, the priority includes policy for Headend-In-the-Sky (HITS), the third phase of private FM radio, and the policy on high-definition television. The HITS policy is ready to go to the Cabinet. The Cabinet note on FM-III is almost ready for circulation. That will take about six weeks. It is safe to say that we should see the FM-III in action later in the year. The Cabinet note on high definition broadcast is also ready and we will take it to the Cabinet soon. We are working on every pending issues that I have inherited from my predecessors.
What about the Broadcast Bill and content code for broadcasters? Are you looking at introducing the Broadcast Bill in Parliament anytime soon?
My predecessors have done a lot of work on the Broadcast Bill. I am told several countries have regulatory environment and due mechanism in place for the broadcast sector. I feel the matter should be debated among the media and the government at every level especially when the draft Bill is already in the public domain, but it is not on top of my priority. On content code, my ministry will work at strengthening the industry bodies of broadcasters and news channels.
The finance minister has imposed a 5 per cent Customs duty on imported set-top boxes that are likely to make them costlier while your recommendations were on making all duties go away? What’s your take?
We are looking into the issue of re-imposition of Customs duty on imported set-top boxes as I feel the matter requires some clarification. However, there are a number of local manufacturers of such boxes who will be encouraged by the move. I am told, the end-user prices of these boxes have declined to less than Rs 1,500 per box from over Rs 3,000 some time ago. The market is growing so no one should feel that their business may get hurt as the demand for boxes and digital cable will only grow from here and it will be pro-consumers.
The functioning of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has been under a cloud in recent times. Its revenue has been declining. What steps are you taking to see that the public broadcaster becomes financially independent and strong?
The Prasar Bharati matter is in court. I will abide by the court’s ruling. My personal thinking is that it is an autonomous body that has a large responsibility. However, it also has to earn and make money else it will never be autonomous in true sense. I want Doordarshan to become more competitive. I want to see them produce shows that get good viewership. If that happens, I don’t see why they cannot command advertising at the market rates and earn for them. I have written to Doordarshan and some of its channels to improve their programming, commission new shows that are relevant today and revamp their working. I want to see results by mid-August. I am an optimist and I don’t see why it is not possible to leverage the reach and popularity of the network of Doordarshan.
In what ways can the public broadcaster increase its earnings?
I believe we should think out of the box. For example: I am told there are hundreds of low and high power transmitters in the border area that are either under-manned or not manned at all. They can be outsourced to the retired personnel from the defence forces who reside in areas like Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. Something can be worked out. These towers can also be utilised for other purposes including by mobile companies after we consult other ministries. Also, Why can’t the state governments use our field publicity, Films Division, Doordarshan’s networks for creating advertisements, serials, shows, etc., at competitive rates? In fact, I have written to several state governments to use our machinery. If we cannot utilise our resources properly, then we should shut shop, I feel.