TRAI draws 'Lakshman Rekha' of broadcasting

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) made it clear on Wednesday that State Governments, local bodies, political parties and religious bodies will not be allowed to enter into the field of public broadcasting and distribution activities such as cable services, DTH etc.

The Government had requested TRAI in December 2007 to examine the matter of allowing certain entities including State Governments, urban and local bodies, 3-tier Panchayati Raj bodies, political bodies and religious bodies to enter into broadcasting activities which may include starting of broadcast channels or entering into distribution platforms such as cable services, DTH etc.

Observing that State Governments, urban and rural local bodies, etc need not be permitted to enter into broadcasting activities, the telecom regulator said the aspirations of the State Governments, as regards broadcasting, should be adequately met by Prasar Bharati, and by imposing certain public service broadcasting obligations on private broadcasters.

The Government of India may set up a regular body to approve and certify programmes as being fit for broadcast as part of the public service broadcasting (PSB) obligation and every private broadcaster may be mandated to carry such approved programmes at least for a total duration of thirty minutes in a week, TRAI said.

It also recommended establishing a Public Service Broadcasting Obligation Fund, on lines of Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund in the telecom sector, and imposing an annual Public Service Broadcasting Obligation levy on the private broadcasters in the country.

As regards entry of political parties into broadcasting activities, TRAI has recommended that political bodies should not be allowed to enter into broadcasting activities.

However, it recommended that broadcasting channels provide ‘reasonable access’ to recognized political parties during the run up to elections to Parliament and to the State Legislative Assemblies.

TRAI also denied entry to religious bodies into public service broadcasting and distribution. But religious contents in the broadcasting channels will be allowed provided the content is in conformity with the appropriate content code or programme code as prescribed from time to time by the Government.

In case permission has earlier been granted to such a religious body for a television channel, then the recommendations provide for an appropriate exit route within a time limit of three to four years to such religious bodies, TRAI recommended.

The telecom regulator also said that State Governments should not enter into the distribution platform such as cable TV, DTH, etc.

There are already 6 DTH operators, about 6000 multi-system operators and nearly 60,000 cable operators in the country.

In this scenario, in the interest of fair competition, level playing field, and also considering the need to ensure proper enforcement mechanism equally applicable to all the players in the field, State Governments and their organs should stay away from distribution activities, it said.