State Control

MUMBAI, AUGUST 4: Media firms face proposed changes to broadcasting rules that could limit cross-holdings and crimp consolidation in the world's third-largest cable TV market. The bill, likely to be delayed as broadcasters lobby the government for changes, would set limits on scale and expansion and bring the $3.6 billion television industry under one regulator responsible for controlling content...

NEW DELHI: The Government would hold a meeting with stakeholders on the proposed legislation to regulate the broadcasting media before going to the Cabinet, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told the Lok Sabha here on Monday. Terming as "uncalled for" the apprehensions that the fundamental rights of the media would be encroached upon, he said the legislation was...

In managing media coverage from Israel of the war in Lebanon, Israeli officials are implementing military censorship guidelines which make specific provisions about general news coverage, coverage of activity leading to the ground operation and coverage of actual combat. For example, it is "strictly forbidden to show a picture of the full battle coverage, with an emphasis of identifying the...

The controversial Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2006 will not be tabled in the ongoing Parliament session after all. The Union ministry of parliamentary affairs has listed ten Bills for introduction during the sesion; the Broadcast Bill is not among them. The government's decision to pull the Bill off the list comes in the wake of the representations made by media owners to the information...

JERUSALEM: Here's some news you may never hear about Israel's war against Hezbollah: a missile falls into the sea, a strategic military installation is hit, a Cabinet minister plans to visit the front lines. All these topics are subject to review by Israel's chief military censor, who has -- in her own words -- "extraordinary power." She can silence a broadcaster, block information and put...

After a week of keeping critics on tenterhooks, the Indian government now seems determined to push through the draconian Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2006. Once made into an Act, it would be something that would even made Russian President Vladimir Putin blush. WHO'S TALKING? The Union minister for information and broadcasting Priyaranjan Dasmunshi attempted to lob the ball into the court...

New Delhi: The government on Saturday dismissed as “baseless” and “out of context” the attack on the draft Broadcast Bill and ruled out “dilution” of the provisions of the measure that has been severely criticised as “draconian” by the media. “I can say with responsibility that the bill will be a media friendly, progressive legislation not seen anywhere in the world,” Information and Broadcasting...

NEW DELHI: Information & broadcasting minister P R Dasmunsi indicated on Saturday that there will be no discussion with the media industry on the controversial broadcast Bill. He said, the Bill would neither be ‘‘diluted’’ nor ‘‘polluted’’ and would be brought to Parliament in the coming Monsoon session. The minister dismissed as ‘‘baseless’’ and ‘‘out of context’’ the attack on the draft...

NEW DELHI, JULY 14: The proposed Broadcast Bill for regulating the media industry may not be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament due to a consultative process initiated by the ministry of information and broadcasting. Speaking to FE, I&B minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi said the government was trying to involve all sections of the media before tabling the Bill. “We will try our...

Freedom is like virginity. You either have it or you don’t. There are no in-betweens. You can’t promise freedom with clauses and caveats. So, when the government says the Broadcast Bill it is bringing to Parliament is not meant to curb the freedom of the media, but only to ensure your and my freedoms, you can be sure there’s serious doubletalk. This is not a space the State is supposed to enter...