| Regional Seminars on Broadcast Bill 2007 |
|
MICCI organised three seminars on the Broadcast Bill 2007. The main objectives of these seminars are:
- To provide in depth analysis in form of discussion on the Government guidelines on various regulatory aspects such as television channels’ Uplinking/Down linking, private FM Radio and Community Radio, DTH, Teleport, etc.
- To make understand the public about the set up a new Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India and emphasize its regulatory functions as presently being performed by the Ministry of I&B to this new authority.
- To make a comparative analysis of the provisions of the existing Cable Television Networks Regulation Act in the new legislation through appropriate repeal and savings clauses and provide for licensing of cable operators
- To give a correct picture of the new guidelines like Cross media ownership and restrictions on accumulation of interests to provide for competition and plurality of views. Minimum obligations on all channels for public service broadcasting in their programme and advertising content.
- To discuss on the stringent guidelines imposed on the programme and advertising content of the channels.
- To understand the obligation of the mandatory license from the competent authority.To define “Airwaves-A public property or not” as per the latest judgments.
- Based on latest judgments discuss and spread awareness that no individual has a right to utilize the airwaves at his choice and pleasure and for the purposes of his choice including profit.The airwaves can be used by a citizen for the purpose of broadcasting only when allowed to do so by a statute and in accordance with such statute. Airwaves being public property, it is the duty of the State to see that airwaves are so utilized as to plurality and diversity of views, opinions and ideas.
- To bring out the significance of the right of free speech as guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) does not include the right to use airwaves, which are public property.
- To make aware of the relationship of the broadcasting bill with other laws. While the proposed legislation will prevail over other existing laws, specific exemption has been provided for the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933.
|
|
|
|