Govt to introduce regulator for TV channels soon

The government is planning to establish an autonomous authority to regulate contents on television channels, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy. Details are being worked out, he added.

He made this disclosure while replying to supplementaries during Question Hour at the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Reddy said, "The bill will be introduced in the House as quickly as possible but not in this session."

While fashion channels such as the FTV has been accused of showing nudity time and again, Rajat Sharma's India TV has been in the news for carrying controversial 'sting' operations. A TV regulator is expected to look into such issues.

In reply to another question, Reddy said the I&B ministry has finalised a package for expanding 300 radio stations in the private sector and the bidding process will commence in the next few weeks.

He said more than 300 private FM radio stations across the country are envisaged to be set up in Phase II of private FM radio broadcasting and the policy for second phase of private FM radio is under consideration.

On the removal of entertainment tax, he said a meeting of state Information Ministers have favoured a reduction in entertainment tax all over the country to 25 to 30 per cent and hoped it would be done in the next one year.

On community radio service, he said it was found to be restrictive and the government was liberalising the service. © 2005 agencyfaqs!