The Centre will create the Broadcasting Authority of India (Bai) on par with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), covering TV channels and Doordarshan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting S Jagatrakshakan said at Shirdi today.
The minister told reporters that the 140-year-old Indian Press Act needed amendment and a committee would be set up for the purpose. “The UPA-led government has taken a decision to create Bai on the lines of Trai and very soon a draft Bill will be prepared,” he said.
“It is difficult to monitor TV channels telecasting news and programmes as there has been a huge growth in their numbers,” he said, adding channels should desist from airing sensitive issues which might create unrest.
Rs 5,000 crore would be utilised for the modernisation of Doordarshan and All India Radio, Rakshakan said.
