Programme on the Broadcasting Regulation Bill at Mumbai

January 20, 2008

Mumbai: Information and Broadcasting Ministry of the Central Government has prepared a bill to control TV channels. The proposed bill is a matter of great concern for media because it will attack the freedom of expression.

In the same way, if media itself is under the control of corporates, it will be dangerous for the country.

Apart from it, monopoly of ownership of the media by people belonging to a particular community and ideology is against the principal of democracy.

These ideas were expressed in a symposium organised by Media Cell of  Jamate- Islami-Maharashtra on Sunday to discuss very implications and shortcomings of the proposed bill.

Central government wants to establish a broadcasting regulatory authority of India under broadcasting regulation bill which will work under the ministry of information and broadcasting. This authority will be empowered to review any TV channel and if there is any illegal practice, action will be taken against the TV channel by confiscating its equipment. Apart from that the license of the TV channel could also be cancelled. Associate editor of Hindustan Times.

Ashraf Engineer said that the words used in this bill are ambiguous and this bill will be a weapon of the government which will kill the freedom of expression. He cited an example about bribery in defense deals which was exposed by Tehelka’s “Operation West End” and said that NDA government appointed back the sacked foreign minister George Fernandez after one month when Tehelka operation were stopped.

Senior journalist Pratima Joshi of Maharashtra Times analyzed very boldly the changing face of media and said that present media is slave of corporate culture and managing editor is the boss in place of editor. The corporate company is interested in only its profit. Apart from that, present media does not deal with really issues but is spreading good morning culture which means that every thing is good and shining. She also said that in this bill there is nothing about the protection of working journalists.

Shahid Latif, editor of Urdu Daily Inquilab said that breaking news of electronic channels has given birth to a queer culture. News about Muslims  is sensationalized; which should be stopped forthwith and  it is not wrong if an authority is established to control this mischief but such an authority should be independent and impartial which should represent civilized society.Non-political intellectuals and media persons should be included in this authority.

The spokesperson of Jamate- Islami-Maharashtra, Aslam Ghazi reviewed abut the immorality of TV channels and its anti-Muslim attitude and said that present media is crossing its limits. Instead of presenting real issues, the electronic media is spreading immorality in the society which is a criminal act.  He also cited many examples where he pointed many irresponsible actions of electronic media and said that this should be controlled. He also suggested that a committee of Muslims and secular journalist should be formed to present its opinion to the government.

At the conclusion of symposium, Supreme Court lawyer, member of All India Personal Law Board, presiding over the meeting, Yusuf Muchchala said that if there is freedom of expression in the country, why our media is keeping mum about Arun Gandhi’s plight when he spoke against Israel’s human rights policies. He doubted that our media is allying with Zionists.

Lastly, he said that this bill should be translated in to simple Urdu, Marathi and other languages so that people could understand it in a better way, and join the debate before any action is taken by the government.

He suggested that a committee should be formed comprising of media persons, social workers and lawyers for discussions about this bill and for presenting suggestions to improve this bill.

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