In a development that will haveimmediate implications for various state governments includingTamil Nadu, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)has held that central and state governments should not beallowed to enter the "business of broadcasting".
In recommendations that were submitted today, TRAI saidthat not just governments but political bodies should also notbe allowed to enter the broadcasting sector.
I&B secretary Uday Kumar Varma had on November 30thwritten to TRAI seeking recommendations on whether state orcentral governments or entities on which they have controlcould be allowed to enter broadcasting or distribution ofchannels.
In reply to Varma's letter, TRAI's secretary in-chargeSudhir Gupta said that central government ministries,departments, companies, joint ventures or entities whichbelong to or are funded by centre or state governments "shouldnot be allowed to enter in to the business of broadcasting andor distribution of TV channels."
TRAI's recommendations hold special implications for theTN government's Arasu Cable TV Corporation Private Limited asit needs to obtain fresh permission from the I&B ministryafter Digitisation of cable services is implemented inChennai.
The Punjab government had approached the I&B ministry forsetting up a TV station, while there were proposals from theGujarat government and the HRD ministry to start channels.
The AP government had submitted a proposal fordistribution of signals of Mana Tv through cable operators.
TRAI said that it had in its earlier recommendations in 2008 held that political bodies should not be allowed to enterbroadcasting activities. To ensure that, it suggested that itsearlier recommendations relating to 'Disqualification ofpolitical bodies' should be followed.
The Authority recommended that political bodies andpeople affiliated or associated with them should be barredfrom entering into broadcasting and distribution activities byincorporating the disqualifications into the relevant rules,regulations and guidelines.
TRAI said that in case permission has already been grantedto a state entity to enter cable distribution platform, thenthe central government should provide an appropriate exitroute.
In its recommendations, the regulator said that the armslength relationship between Prasar Bharati and the governmentbe further strengthened. It said that measures that ensurefunctional independence and autonomy of Prasar Bharati need tobe taken.
TRAI mentioned that it had in 2008 examined these issuesand suggested that entry of state or central governments into broadcasting is not allowed. It said that both the SarkariaCommission and Supreme Court judgements on related matters hadalso stressed the same.
TRAI, in its letter to the ministry, said that there was aneed to have safeguards so that its recommendations, ifaccepted, are not bypassed.
It said that a political party which is in office in astate may want to enter into broadcasting but acceptance ofthese recommendations would impose an embargo on its plans,which may prompt the party to devise alternative ways.