News Broadcast by FM Stations (19-Mar-2008)

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04 Written Answers to [RAJYA SABHA] Unstarred Questions 


Supply of news by foreign news agencies 


2I5. SHRI ALI ANWAR: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND 
BROADCASTING be pleased to stite: 


(a) whether a number of news agencies are functioning to provide news to various agents 
of media; 


(b) whether policy guidelines are in place to not permit foreign news agencies to directly 
-give news to Indian newspapers and India news agencies have permission to give news to 
foreign news agencies; 


(c) whether it is a fact that despite guidelines, many foreign news agencies are providing 
news directly to Indian. newspapers and are doing business through various media houses; 
and 


(0) if so, the number of various Indian and foreign news agencies functioning in the 
country and the subjects on which they are providing news to various newspapers/news 
sources? 


THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRIYARANJAN 
DASMUNS)): (a) to (0) The operation of foreign news agencies in India is governed by the 
Cabinet Decision of 956, according to which communication facilities can be granted only 
where the distribution of news within the country is to be effected through an Indian news 
agency, owned and managed by Indians, which would have full and final authority in the 
selection of foreign news for distribution and which would also be in a position to supply 
Indian news, in reasonable volume, to the foreign news agencies with whom they have a 
working arrangement. No specific case of contravention of the guidelines has been brought 
to the notice of the Ministry. 


News Broadcast by FM Stations 


26. SHIR SHANTARAM LAXMAN NAIK; Will the Minister of INFORMATION 
AND BROADCASTING be pleased do state: 


(a) whether Government proposes to permit FM stations to broadcast news of short duration 
or otherwise; and 


(७) ifso, details thereof? 


THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRIYARANJAN 
DASMUNSI): (a) and (b) As per the Policy on expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting services 
through private agencies (Phase II), the private FM broadcasters are not permitted to carry 
news and current affairs. 


Non adherence to bye-laws and procedures by Satyajit Ray Film Institute 


24(7. DR. K. MALAISAMY: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND 
BROADCASTING be pleased to state 


(a) whether it is a fact that SATYAJIT RAY FILM INSTITUTE at Kolkata is not following 
the bye-laws and the procedure therefore and going on ad-hoc basis; 


(b) what were the major lapses pointed out by C and AG in the recent inspection taken up; 
and