Decision Put Off On Broadcasting Law

The Union Cabinet yesterday deferred a decision on a broadcasting law and amendment to the Prasar Bharati Act as it felt the issue needed deeper examination.

With agriculture minister and senior Communist Part of India leader Chaturanan Mishra voicing strong opposition to the move to allow a foreign stake of up to 49 per cent in broadcasting companies, information and broadcasting Minister CM Ibrahim was quick to accept the suggestion to refer the entire issue to a sub-committee for closer examination.

The sub-committee, which will be headed by Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, will examine the legal and constitutional aspects of the provisions and prepare a comprehensive broadcasting bill within 15 days. An official spokesman said Gowda was committed to introducing the Bill in the budget session, which starts next month.

The proposed broadcasting bill deals with issues like freeing of airwaves from government monopoly in the light of the Supreme Court judgment, and the formation of an independent broadcasting authority to regulate airwaves and connected issues.

Mishra seemed to be airing only his partys views on the subject. CPI general secretary AB Bardhan yesterday argued that if the government had not permitted foreign companies in the print media, there was no reason why they should be allowed into the field of broadcasting.

Finance minister P Chidambaram, industries minister Murasoli Maran, CM Ibrahim and Gowda are in favour of allowing foreigners to compete with the government-run media.