No Censorship for Media: Soni
New Delhi: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni on Wednesday said that the government is against any censorship for media. Speaking at an Interactive Session here Soni said that she had initiated a discussion on how an autonomous body can look into all media-related issues.
"The UPA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is against any kind of control (on media) or censorship. In fact, we have initiated a discussion with broadcasters on what kind of a body can be formed which can be an independent regulator, looking into all aspects of the broadcasting sector," she further added.
Ambika Soni unveiled a plan for complete digitalization of television in India with a likely approval of a satellite-based cable distribution platform soon.
“There should be a sunset hour for complete digitalization,” Soni said. Before the year is out, the cabinet is expected to approve HITS (Headend In the Sky), she said. “The HITS system will enable cable operators to digitalise their analogue system. It will eliminate carriage fees,” she said. She, however, did not put a deadline to the digitalisation process.
Self regulatory bodies like the NBA( News Broadcasters Association ), IBF ( Indian Broadcasters Federation ) EBA ( Editors Broadcasters Association ) were all doing a good job and self regulatory apparatus was in place Soni added.
Soni also said she was hopeful of cabinet approval for phase III of FM radio that will also include first-ever broadcast of news bulletins on private radio channels.
Bureau Report
