The Information & Broadcasting Minister Ms Ambika Soni committed to put in place a system of self regulation mechanism based on a public private partnership model. The Minister stated this while delivering her address at the CII Content Summit “Adapting from Wired to Wireless” on Friday.

The newly proposed Broadcasting Content Compliants Council will have thirteen members represented by broadcasters and civil society and modalities will be deliberated. The BCCC was proposed based on consultations held with civil society representatives and the representative body for entertainment Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). The constitution of such a body would enable a process to view content through an appropriate mechanism.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said as far as content was concerned, it had to be balanced with the prevalent diversity in the country, the existence of multiple channels, the suitability and tastes of different target audiences and the nuances of the regional media. Moreover as the volume of programming had increased, self regulation was the way forward keeping in mind the fact that television was becoming increasingly localized. A self regulatory mechanism would ensure an element of objectivity in viewing and addressing issues relating to content. This body will deal with complaints from people on television content.

In this regard, the Minister also referred to the system of self regulation put in place by the National News Broadcasters Association (NBA) with regard to news channels. A constructive partnership between the Government and the NBA had ensured that the system of self regulation worked effectively addressing the concern of both. The self regulation model put in force by ASCI had also worked effectively in modulating content in the advertising industry.

The proposed 13-member BCCC is to headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, has been proposed after over year-long discussions with the Ministry.

On digitalisation of Cable TV broadcasting, the I&B Ministry has accepted the TRAI roadmap and new sunset dates will be announced for digitalisation in the coming months. I&B ministry has submitted proposals to the Finance Minister related to reduction of taxes for digital headends, set top boxes and rationalization of taxes including income tax holiday for prospective investors.

In his special address TRAI Chairman Dr J S Sarma maintained that in the new media era there will be lesser regulation and the price control mechanism will end soon in the coming years and consumers will be empowered.

I&B Secretary Mr Raghu Menon made it clear that industry is not keen on a Broadcast regulator and the government is ready to give a chance self regulation mechanism and if it works well India would have designed a unique way in would to tackle broadcast regulation. He also said the existing Cable TV Act will be rehauled completely keeping the changing media in picture. On Films, Mr Menon said Cinematograph Act will be amended and films will be censored according to viewer categories of different groups.

In his inaugural address Mr Amit Khanna, Chairman of CII National Media and Entertainment Committee said the industry has the potential to grow from the current $12 billion to $100 billion in this decade.

The summit brought content creators, broadcasters, telecom players, application providers, and advertising agencies to deliberate on the evolving best practices and emerging business models.

CII Director General Mr Chandrajit Banerjee in his address said the industry would like to have an investor friendly framework that should keep in mind the pace of change of the new digital media regime.

New Delhi

18^h February 2011

Neelam Joshi

Media Desk

Confederation of Indian Industry

23, Institutional Area

Lodi Road

New Delhi – 110 003

Mobile: 9810882431