(a) whether the Government are considering for formulate Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) norms and guidelines for radio broadcast;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the licence fee/entry fee for TV, print media and radio broadcast is
very high and the Government propose for abolish this fee;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not; the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (e) The Government had, on 24th July, 2003, constituted a Committee
to make recommendations for radio broadcasting for Phase II. The terms of
reference to the committee, amongst other things, included making
(i) suggestions
regarding extent of Foreign Equity Participation in private FM in order to make
them economically more viable/sustainable while also keeping in mind regimes in
other sectors and requirements of national security and
(ii) assessment of a viable
licence fee structure for the various cities (one time entry fee, fixed licence fees,
revenue sharing, etc) to based on clearly defined parameters. The committee has,
on 17th November, 2003, submitted its report to the Government.
Further, no Licence fee/entry fee for obtaining permission of uplinking TV
channels is being charged by this Ministry. So far as the Print media is concerned,
there is no licence fee/entry fee prescribed. However an application fee of Rs.
5000/- (Rupees five thousand only) is prescribed for considering/processing
proposals for foreign investment in news and current affairs/non-news and non-
current category.