Group of ministers to look into policies of print media

The proposal was to promulgate an ordinance banning Indian edition of international newspapers, but the Cabinet today bought time by forming...

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The proposal was to promulgate an ordinance banning Indian edition of international newspapers, but the Cabinet today bought time by forming a group of ministers for a comprehensive look at the policies in print media.

Following pressure from the Left parties, Information & Broadcasting Ministry had suggested amendment in the Press and Registration of Books Act to stop publication of The International Herald Tribune from India. It had also suggested that the ordinance should prevent syndication of content beyond 7.5 per cent.

However, the Cabinet today decided to to float a GoM which would ‘‘view in one go’’ the past decisions of the NDA government and the emerging scenario for a comprehensive view of the print media sector, I&B Minister S. Jaipal Reddy told reporters.

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The Cabinet decided to set up the GoM ‘‘not only to go into the violations that may occur, but also to look at the entire policy paradigm,’’ Reddy said.

To a query on when the GoM would be constituted, Reddy said the Prime Minister would take a decision about its composition.

According to Reddy, the Cabinet considered amendments to certain sections of the PRB Act of 1867, and took note of the resolution adopted in 1955 ‘‘which did not want publication of foreign magazines and newspapers in India’’.

The decisions of the NDA government to permit 26 per cent foreign direct investment in publications, periodicals and newspapers dealing with news and current affairs were also taken into account, he added.