Union Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni has recently told that a task force has been set up for the proposed Broadcasting Authority of India, which would look into issues related to media and broadcasting.Broadcasting Authority would deal with issues pertaining to electronic media, broadcasting, spectrum and taxation, she said, adding that views and opinions of all the stakeholders are being sought in this regard. Soni favoured self regulation by electronic media instead of any regulation enacted by the government. This announcement came after the recent constitution of a committee by the Delhi High Court.
According to Praveen Dalal, Managing Partner of Perry4Law and the leading Techno-Legal Expert of India, “The Delhi High Court has recently constituted a committee to formulate guidelines for crime reporting by the media. He informs that similar proposals were mooted by the government of India as well but they were strongly resisted by the media community. Now with the present direction the path for suitable guidelines and law in this regard has become clear.
It seems the government of India is avoiding suitable regulations for media in India. The stress upon self-regulation for the media is a pointer in this regard. The standards of media reporting in India are not only declining but they at times makes national security issues more complicated. While the government is extensively engaged in e-surveillance of the electronic media yet when it comes to print and traditional broadcasting media it has a soft corner for them. This would not be good in the interest of India.
SOURCE: MYNEWS
