Govt to consult broadcasting industry on bill

New Delhi, Nov 1: The Government is considering to bring forward the long-awaited Broadcasting Bill, to facilitate and regulate broadcast...

New Delhi, Nov 1: The Government is considering to bring forward the long-awaited Broadcasting Bill, to facilitate and regulate broadcasting services in the country, and will hold consultations with the industries concerned next week.

“Taking the 1997 Broadcasting Bill as the basis we are going to seek suggestions and then start our drill (to finalise the bill)…. We are endeavouring to take it to its logical conclusion,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters during an informal meeting.

However, he did not spell out when the bill would be brought before Parliament saying it would be unfair to give any definite time now.

Story continues below this ad

He said the ministry would hold consultations with the entire broadcasting industry on November 9 and with the cable industry a week later. Jaitley said there were three aspects to be considered before giving the bill a final shape — the old bill, the recommendations before the select committee to which the bill was referred and suggestions of the industry.

He said the Government intended completing discussions this month itself and then take it before the Cabinet.

Asked why the exercise of consultations on the bill was being repeated by consecutive governments, he said there “is no substitute to it… But we are almost starting from where the earlier government left it.”