NEW DELHI: The proposed changes in the Cable Television Network Regulations Act, currently under the consideration of the government, have been put on hold after the broadcasters rose up in arms against the move.
The broadcasters have been assured by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that any changes in the Act would be taken up for finalisation only after the widest possible consultation with all the stakeholders.
The broadcasters have termed the proposed changes as a move by the government to bring back media censorship like during the period of the Emergency.
The broadcasters are meeting leaders of various political parties to garner support.
“We have been meeting the leaders of various political parties in this regard and we have been able to muster support from them,’’ Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-inchief of the CNN- IBN, told to The New Indian Express.
The Editors Guild, a body comprising top editors of broadcasting and the print media, has opined that the move should be resisted, as the editorial content of a broadcaster should be the sole prerogative of the editor concerned..
Various political parties, including the BJP, CPM and Samajwadi Party, have thrown their weight behind the broadcasters.
“It is imperative that TV channels evolve a code of self-regulation which ensures that anti-national elements would not able to take advantage of the freedom of media in the country.
But the government should not impose any curbs on the media, which can be abused, said BJP leader L K Advani said.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, in his letter to the Prime Minister, has asked him not take any step that would empower the administration to further regulate the news channels. “Our party is of the opinion that there should be no hasty step taken regarding media regulation,’’ Karat said in his letter.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recommended changes in the law to allow government to dictate television coverage during contingency situations.
The proposal would make it mandatory for channels to carry only authorised video footage.
