Draft Broadcast Bill leaves media at govt mercy

The central government will assume sweeping powers to take over control and management of private broadcasting channels in case of war or a natural calamity of national magnitude if a draft broadcast legislation becomes law.

"In the event of war or a natural calamity of national magnitude, the central government may, in public interest, take over the control and management of any of the broadcasting services or any facility connected therewith, suspend its operation or entrust the public service broadcaster to manage it in the manner directed by the Government for such period as it deems fit," the draft bill, which is to be considered by the Union Cabinet, states.

The Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2006, to regulate private broadcasting also provides for punishment like revocation of licence and fines to those who violate the proposed broadcast guidelines, including the new Content Code under preparation.

The Bill provides that the government may at any time direct the licensing authority (Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India) to suspend or revoke a broadcasting service's licence, if the service is "considered prejudicial to friendly relations with a foreign country, public order, communal harmony or security of the state." It provides for the setting up of a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) which apart from a chairperson and six whole-time members, shall have a government official, not less than the rank of additional secretary, as its CEO/secretary.