Question : CONSULTATION CONCERNING MEDIA

(a) whether the Government proposes to initiate wide consultations with various stakeholders on issues concerning the media;

(b) If so, the details thereof;

(c) whether consensus on contentious issues like Content Code, projecting India in a positive light to the world during Commonwealth Games and devising an acceptable mechanism to resolve demands of print and broadcasting industry are also likely to be considered in such consultations; and

(d) if so, the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING(SHRI C.M. JATUA)

(a)to(d) Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has constituted a Media Consultative Committee for media facilitation under the chairmanship of Secretary, I&B. The committee includes media organizations, inclusive of both print and electronic media and also representatives of civil society.

The terms of reference of the Committee are as under :-

(i)To serve as a forum for regular consultations between Government and various professional media bodies.

(ii)To provide a platform for exchange of views on concerns of civil society.

(iii)To discuss concerns of media organizations on various regulatory/policy/procedural matters.

(iv)The Committee will meet at least twice a year or as and when necessary.

Stakeholders are also being consulted on the issue of Content Code. A time frame has not been fixed for decision in the matter.