Allaying fears of broadcasters over content regulation, the Central government today said any regulatory mechanism would be formed only after consultations with stakeholders and the industry's larger interests will be taken into consideration.
"I don't see why broadcasters should have apprehensions about content regulation. I would like to categorically say that the government does not want to put draconian laws on electronic media. However, some ground rules are needed. But no laws would be imposed on broadcasters," Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said.
"Our consultations are already on with broadcasters on what kind of regulatory authority is required. It will be formed through consensus and will also look at broader issues concerning them like taxation etc," Soni said here addressing a seminar of broadcasters.
The talks with stakeholders to evolve a roadmap for such kind of a mechanism are not taking place with any pre-conceived notion and a positive outcome is expected from them, she added.
The minister said with so many channels operating in the country, it is difficult to monitor all of them, therefore the proposed authority will also measure impact of these channels.
On the long pending broadcast bill, Soni said it has been hanging fire for the past 12 years, and also discussed in every Parliamentary session. However there have been reservations raised by civil society groups and the National Commission for Women on television content and these are being resolved through discussions.
"Talks are on with stakeholders and some result will come out of these. Though I would like to add that provisions of the bill should not be seen by broadcasters as some kind of sword hanging on their heads," she said.
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The minister assured the gathering that "before the end of the year, government will come out with the headends-in the-sky (HITS) policy. It had been taken to the Cabinet in February this year, but could not come through.
Soni said though several MPs across party lines tried to make "mincemeat" of her in the recently concluded Budget session of Parliament, pressurising her to ban certain television serials, "I held my own view and said I will not do anything which curbs freedom of expression".
She was referring to discussions on serials like 'Balika Vadhu' and 'Sach Ka Samna', which took place in Parliament, and which were vehemently opposed by MPs.
Over the issue of television rating points (TRPs), which was also raised in Parliament, the Union Minister said such ratings should have a wider reach and these should also take into consideration the aspirations of people.
She asked the broadcasters to chart out a roadmap for the kind of content that should be on the television and asked them to reserve some air time for broadcasting success stories of human triumph against adversities. "These are my two wishlists for the broadcasters," Soni said.
When asked whether the ministry for information and broadcasting was mulling increasing the FDI limit in the radio sector, she said, "Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is seized of the matter and we will discuss the issue with him. More inclusiveness is required in this."
Soni also added that the government has finalised the rollout of the third phase of FM radio stations. "However several FM station bidders of the second phase are facing financial trouble. Certain royalty issues are also involved, which we are sorting out with the HRD ministry, and once these are cleared, we will roll out FM phase III," she said.