Hyderabad, November 01: A proposal to regulate the aggressive television news channels by a public body and make them accountable under Right to Information Act is in the making, according to the media and entertainment wing of a nation chamber of commerce.
Emphasising urgent need for the proposed mechanism, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said it is desirable to introduce appropriate checks and balances so that freedom and democracy are given real meanings and not misused. The way forward is co-regulation – rather than self-regulation – backed by a well-defined law.
Currently the Indian television industry has over 600 channels (about 150 of them news-based) and is estimated to clock revenues of Rs 32,000 crore by the year-end with 14 per cent growth over 2010, according to an Assocham release.
“Self-regulation is the norm that has high values and noble objectives. But in the context of modern-day broadcasting where we witness coming up of many regional and national channels, self-regulation may not be sufficient,” Assocham secretary general DS Rawat said in the statement adding that television plays a major role in the flow of information and is equipped with the power to influence popular beliefs and opinions.
Present provisions in programming and advertising codes under the Cable Act and News Broadcasters Association’s code of ethics are not sufficient and comprehensive. There is need for more clarity through elaborate stakeholder consultations to move forward in an inclusive and balanced manner, he said.
The need of the hour is an independent regulatory authority providing guidelines so that a broadcaster is restrained from actions leading to any disaster.
The Content Code and Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill does not cover legal interests of consumers. Privacy rights and protection of relevant stakeholders have also not been given appropriate attention, he said.
The proposed legislative framework also does not recognise the existing reality of social media as means of broadcasting which needs to be taken in consideration, he said in the statement.
——–Agencies