Govt to strengthen broadcast networks along borders

The Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) is planning to strengthen broadcasting networks along the borders to arrest illegal transmission.

The ministry has got nod from the Prime Minister along with a sanction of Rs 100 crore to strengthen both broadcasting hardware and software used on the borders, said Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni sfter inaugurating the industry federation Ficci’s Media and Entertainment Business Conclave here.

“The government wants to arrest both illegal and false propaganda by installing signal blockers,” she said.

The government has already set up infrastructure, including towers, to strengthen hardware systems.

She said the sector was poised to become a Rs 1,05,200-crore industry by 2013 from the current Rs 58,400 crore and could grow further. “But a major concern for the industry is piracy and marketing, especially in international markets," she said.

To address both the issues, the government is drafting an Act which would prevent piracy, one of the major concerns for the film industry.

“Tamil Nadu is one of the states, which successfully arrested piracy through its tough legislation and we are considering whether it can be replicated in other parts of the country,” Soni said.

The ministry has called for a state information ministers’ meeting on December 5 where this would be discussed.

“The Tamil Nadu government would showcase its success stories and we will act as a facilitator to replicate the model,” Soni said.

Welcoming the decision, Eros International Group chief executive officer (India Operations) AP Parigi said the Tamil Nadu model was significant and the government went to the extent of not only drafting the law but also executing it. “Because of this, it could manage to bring down piracy,” he said.