Regulations must support Digitisation

Digitalisation has become the main focus of the government now. TRAI has reacted to I&B Ministry’s comments on its earlier recommendations of the sunset dates and still feels that digitalization in the country can be implemented by December 2013. It is not so much setting the dates that will make us achieve the target, it is making supporting regulations that will encourage digitalization. 

The fact is that deferring the implementation in 2003, after making the law was the biggest mistake of the Government. We all know that it was done for political motives just before the elections but the damage it has done to the psyche of the MSOs and Cable operators has dissuaded them from investing more on up-gradation of technology. Now only thoughtful, encouraging and a firm regulation can make the process to move forward at desired speed. Any regulation made for the purpose should focus more on consumers than anything else because, if consumers accept digitalization in the right perspective, half the battle will be won. 

February 2011

1/2/11 -- Viacom18 Media has launched Colors and MTV India in Singapore as it seeks to rapidly expand on its international revenues.

Budget may boost Digitalisation

Amidst investigations of various scams, the UPA government is busy drafting a populist budget that may ease their situation a little. There is no end to inflation which, in-spite of our growing economy is adversely affecting our daily lives. Billions of dollars stashed away in various Tax heavens by Indian residents and Supreme Court’s pressure on the government to do something about that is another worry the government is facing. 2G scam has already worried the government to great extent. Although, expected GDP growth figures are encouraging, how much budget allocation the broadcast industry will get from the government under these circumstances can be easily guessed? 

Our lead story in this issue discusses various budgetary proposals put up by the industry to the Finance Ministry. These proposals are meant to cover the digitalisation process and in view of the subject getting government’s utmost attention for providing broadband services in the rural areas as recommended by TRAI in National Broadband Plan. 

January 2011

1/1/11 -- Manav Entertainment & Media Pvt. Ltd. Launched a Hindi GEC Channel “ Me Home TV”.

Digitalisation and Addressability are the Key to the Future

We have reached the end of 2010, full of enthusiasm to enter the digital age. Although the year gone by made us witness many disappointing events, mainly of the corrupt practices in all segments of society, be it telecom, broadcasting, sports, politics or real estate. There were many positive happenings like TRAI's recommendations for the National Broadband Plan, beginning of High Definition Broadcast and 3G services, MSOs coming in lime light with successful IPOs and also the very first independent Cable Operator launching his IPO. To top it all we have the Consultation Paper from TRAI for interconnect Regulations in Non-Addressable Cable TV sector to resolve the issue of assumed connectivity.

Who will bell the cat?

There is a dire need of a Content Code in the country but who will implement this? 

Once again the I&B Ministry is crying for regulation of content in the television broadcasting. It all started with a man committing suicide after being humiliated by the host of controversial reality TV show Rakhi Ka Insaaf and numerous complaints against Bigg Boss-Season 4 where the participants have been accused of using indecent language and gestures and also one of the participant has been shouting and quarreling with other participants. The Ministry had clamped down on the channels and told them to telecast these shows between 11 pm and 5 am “with immediate effect”, the timing meant for broadcasting adult content. 

Month of Scams

Last month kept us all busy tracking various scams. No sector is left wanting as far as scams are concerned. It all started with the 2G Scam of the Telecom Ministry. Commonwealth Games scams are also slowly being unearthed. Prasar Bharti's HD Broadcast scam with the alleged involvement of its CEO B S Lalli has put the PMO and the I&B Ministry at loggerheads. Now the telephone tapping of Ms Radia's conversations are making many skeletons tumble out of the closet. Mr Rattan Tata whose conversation was also tapped has gone to the Supreme Court to protect his privacy. Two senior journalists Barkha Dutt and Veer Sanghvi have also been accused of helping the telecom deals who are now on a spate of giving explanations in every which way. Parliament is already on a boil due to these scams. Various land scams like the one involving the Karnataka CM and the other of the Adarsh Society of Mumbai involving the Maharashtra politicians are putting the whole country to shame. And to top it all now we have the accusation that the Telecom Minister gave WiMax license to two companies who never existed. The whole scenario is so polluted that one wonders if any thing is going right these days. 

Even on the international front USA is facing the wrath of rest of the World for the WikiLeaks. In all this scandalous time role of Media is being questioned. Debates are on about what is important, private interest or the public interest. Are our journalists following the ethics? TV channels are having a whale of a time disclosing every scam in a dramatic exclusive exposure. One wonders if there is anything called self regulation which the TV broadcasters have been shouting hoarse whenever the government comes on them with a heavy hand. Indian television media has become so diversified, big and powerful that it is almost impossible for the government to control it. Sad part is that the consumers who make this gigantic industry survive are the biggest sufferers. For the sake of TRPs broadcasters pass on all sorts of trash to the consumers stating that the consumers demand all this. It again puts the focus on doubtful TRP system but the government is so weak in front of these power houses that it just keeps mum. Recent case of Bigg Boss, Rakhi Ka Insaf and SS Music channel are the glaring examples of the spineless government that we have that its stern action against such undesired content does not stand the test of the law in the courts. This also indicates our half hearted regulations. The above attitude is also reflected in government's efforts in digitising the Cable Television industry where umpteen number of times the sun-set dates have been recommended by many committees but no notification from the government is coming out. One wonders if the government is clean in its intentions or again some conspiracy is being hatched, to let the cable TV industry down in its competition with DTH and the IPTV . 

Notwithstanding the above, the industry is bent upon going forward with digitisation on its own and the year to come may prove a turning point. 

—— Lt. Col. (Retd.) K K Sharma

Editor

Source: http://cablequest.org/articles/editorials/item/1786-month-of-scams.html

Source: http://cablequest.org/articles/editorials/item/1786-month-of-scams.html