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India toughens TV content rules
By James Lamont in New Delhi
The Indian government has tightened rules governing the country’s television channels, threatening them with closure for violating content rules as part of a backlash against broadcast media for championing an anti-corruption movement.
The government has defended the new rules as intended to “ensure that only serious and credible operators” can run television stations. The new guidelines require a domestic news channel to have a “net worth” of Rs200m and top managers with proven track records at media companies.
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But the new rules, which make television licences renewable every 10 years, also require compliance with a content code that regulates against coverage deemed to be inappropriate or against national interest.
The regulations, approved by cabinet last week, are viewed by the broadcast industry as an effort to curb freedom of speech in the world’s largest democracy and limit the growth of a booming media sector that is increasingly attracting foreign investment.
India, which until a decade ago had a broadcast industry dominated by the state, has about 750 private satellite television channels today and more are seeking licences. Almost half of the private channels are devoted to current affairs coverage, broadcasting in the country’s many languages.
Broadcasters on Monday complained that the government was trying to muzzle an industry that until now has largely been self-regulating. They say the media’s rights are enshrined in the country’s post-independence constitution.
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The News Broadcasters’ Association, a Delhi-based national body, said the threat to close down channels for repeated code violations was “regressive” as well as "illegal and unconstitutional".
Jay Panda, an MP from the eastern state of Orissa, said there was no need for tougher rules when guidelines governing content violations already existed.
Many government ministers were incensed by the coverage given to the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, a veteran social activist, over the summer. They were angered by what they view as disrespectful, inquisition-style questioning by popular television anchors who have highlighted a series of high profile corruption scandals over the past year.
India toughens TV content rules
By James Lamont in New Delhi
The Indian government has tightened rules governing the country’s television channels, threatening them with closure for violating content rules as part of a backlash against broadcast media for championing an anti-corruption movement.
The government has defended the new rules as intended to “ensure that only serious and credible operators” can run television stations. The new guidelines require a domestic news channel to have a “net worth” of Rs200m and top managers with proven track records at media companies.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c2335fc-f355-11e0-b11b-00144feab49a.html#ixzz2m167aKJB
But the new rules, which make television licences renewable every 10 years, also require compliance with a content code that regulates against coverage deemed to be inappropriate or against national interest.
The regulations, approved by cabinet last week, are viewed by the broadcast industry as an effort to curb freedom of speech in the world’s largest democracy and limit the growth of a booming media sector that is increasingly attracting foreign investment.
India, which until a decade ago had a broadcast industry dominated by the state, has about 750 private satellite television channels today and more are seeking licences. Almost half of the private channels are devoted to current affairs coverage, broadcasting in the country’s many languages.
Broadcasters on Monday complained that the government was trying to muzzle an industry that until now has largely been self-regulating. They say the media’s rights are enshrined in the country’s post-independence constitution.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c2335fc-f355-11e0-b11b-00144feab49a.html#ixzz2m16A2umX
The News Broadcasters’ Association, a Delhi-based national body, said the threat to close down channels for repeated code violations was “regressive” as well as "illegal and unconstitutional".
Jay Panda, an MP from the eastern state of Orissa, said there was no need for tougher rules when guidelines governing content violations already existed.
Many government ministers were incensed by the coverage given to the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, a veteran social activist, over the summer. They were angered by what they view as disrespectful, inquisition-style questioning by popular television anchors who have highlighted a series of high profile corruption scandals over the past year.
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