Govt drops proposal to gag TV channels

The TIMES OF INDIA  reported today that government has dropped its plan to provide authorised video footage to TV channels during emergency situations.After Editors of TV Channels took up the issue with the Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh the political establishment has blamed in on the babus. The TOI has quoted sources saying " It was only a suggestion by various agencies and did not have approval of the political establishment".  Editors had asked Prime Minister for the complete closure of the issue, though he did not promise to the editors on the closure of the issue, TOI report clearly indicates that government has given in.

Prime Minister assures TV Edtiors

Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh has assured Editors of major TV Channels that government would not take any step that would compromise the freedom of media.The Editors said sprit of self regulation must prevail and hoped after today's meeting there would be a complete closure of the issue. Those who met PM on this evening behalf of TV jornalistsincluded Ajit Anjum (News 24), Ashutosh (IBN 7), Deepak Chourasia (Star News), N K Singh ( ETV), Pankaj Pachori (NDTV),Satish K Singh (Zee News),Shazi Zaman (Star News), Shailesh (Aaj Tak), Supriya Prasad (News 24),Rajdeep Sardesai ( IBN network) & Vinod Kapri (India TV).

TV Editors to meet Prime Minsiter today

Editors of TV Channels will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening. Prime minister had put the proposed media bill on hold after editors wrote him on monday. Editors had welcomed government's decision, but had asked for complte clousure of the issue.

Government puts the media bill on hold

The union government will not go ahead with the proposed changes in the cable network rule immdiately. Following the protest the Prime minister's office has issued a statement short while ago.Following is the text of the statement-

PM assures consultation on proposed changes in Cable Television Network Rules.

The Prime Minister has received several representations from the media agencies regarding certain proposed changes in the Cable Television Network Rules currently under consideration. He has assured that the matter will be taken up for finalization only after the widest possible consultation with all the stakeholders and eliciting their different points of view on the proposed changes.

CPM Writes to PM over proposed regulation on media, asks government not to act in haste

CPM General Secretary Praksash Karat has asked prime Minister Manmohan singh not take take any step "to empower the government and the administration to further regulate the news channels". Mr karat has sent a letter to Prime Minister today over the proposed curbs on electronic media. Editors of major TV Channels had met Mr. Karat yesterday urging him to take up this issue with the government. Following is the text of letter sent by Mr Karat to Prime minister
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January 14, 2009




Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh,


It is reported that the government is proposing an amendment to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Rules. This is meant to regulate content in the electronic media.


Our Party is of the opinion that there should be no hasty step taken regarding media regulation. Our Party is of the view that apart from the self-regulatory mechanism put in place by the news channels, it is necessary to have co-regulation through an independent regulatory body.


How this is to be done has to be discussed and a common approach arrived at. Till then, no steps should be taken to empower the government and the administration to further regulate the news channels.


With regards,
Yours sincerely




(Prakash Karat)
General Secretary