Date:13/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111351901800.htm

Back TRAI suggests State govts, political parties stay away from broadcasting activities

The regulator has recommended that those involved already be given 3-4 years “exit route.”

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Nov. 12 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is not in favour of political parties, religious bodies and State governments being involved in broadcasting activities.

The sector regulator has recommended that “State Governments and their organs” stay away from cable, DTH businesses and those involved already be given 3-4 years “exit route.”

The regulator also thinks political parties and religious bodies, urban and local bodies should be kept away from broadcasting activities. It has suggested that the disqualifications contained in the relevant provisions of the Broadcasting Bill, 1997 (which could not be enacted into law) as regards political bodies be incorporated in the proposed legislation on broadcasting.

These formed part of the TRAI’s recommendations to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on “Issues relating to entry of certain entities into Broadcasting and Distribution activities”.

Faced with applications from State governments, including Delhi, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh in the past, the Ministry had sought the regulator’s views on the matter. While the Delhi Government had plans for a radio channel, the Tamil Nadu Government already operates a cable distribution network, Arasu.

Currently, FM radio guidelines bar political parties, religious bodies amongst a few other entities, from bidding for channel licences. Similar guidelines in the Draft Broadcast Bill 1997 also disqualified governments and local authorities from owning broadcasting businesses. But since it was never enacted into law, it was a “grey area” for the Ministry.

According to TRAI, the broadcasting aspirations of State governments should be adequately met by Prasar Bharati.

It has also suggested that certain public service broadcasting obligations be imposed on private broadcasters.

A Ministry-constituted body would approve and certify programmes, which broadcasters would be obliged to carry for a total duration of 30 minutes a week.

Other suggestions include a fund — Public Service Broadcasting Obligation Fund — on lines similar to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund in the telecom sector, and imposition of an annual Public Service Broadcasting Obligation levy on the broadcasters and a predetermined share from the percentage of gross revenue being paid by the identified stakeholders.