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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO:168
ANSWERED ON:31.07.2003
EXPANSION OF TV CHANNELS AND FM STATIONS
BHASKAR RAO PATIL;PRABHA RAU
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government have decided to formulate a comprehensive broadcast policy in view of the massive expansion of satellite
television channels and private FM radio stations;
(b) if so, the facts and salient features thereof;
(c) the time by which the same is proposed to be implemented;
(d) whether any consultations have been held with the representatives of existing television/ FM radio channels with regard to this
policy; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
Answer
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LGABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.168 FOR ANSWE
ON 31ST JULY, 2003.
With the rapid advances in technology, expansion of satellite TV channels and private FM radio stations, the broadcasting scenario is
continuously undergoing change. The Communication Convergence Bill when enacted wouldset up a single regulator to promote,
facilitate and develop in an orderly manner carriage and content of communication [including broadcasting telecommunications and
multimedia].
In the meantime, keeping in view the broad objectives of providing increasing access to the people to broadcasting services, ensuring
diversity of content, and maximum choice of platforms at reasonable price to consumers, various policy initiatives have been taken.
These include changes made in the uplinking policy of the year 2000 followed up by the policy for foreign investment in news channels
uplinked from India; the amendments in the Cable Act at various times, the decision to permit private FM stations and the recent
initiative of setting up of a Committee to make recommendations for Phase IIFM broadcasting. These initiatives have been taken
after a detailed consultative process.