(a) whether some major changes are contemplated for entertainment sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any committee has been constituted for this purpose;
(d) if so, whether the committee has since submitted its report;
(e) if so, the details of recommendations made by the committee; and
(f) the extent in which these recommendations of the committee have been/are being implemented.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS(SHRI P.R.DASMUNSI)
(a) Yes Sir. In the Broadcasting sector, PH.II policy for entry of private players into FM radio has been announced recently. The Government has also introduced downlinking guidelines to facilitate regulation of satellite television channels uplinking from abroad. These downlinking guidelines prescribe registration of all private channels downlinking into India for public viewership. Some changes have also been made in the existing policy for uplinking. These are being notified.
(b) The details of the private FM Phase II policy and downlinking guidelines are available on the website of the Ministry i.e.mib.nic.in.
(c)&(d) The Government is also considering revision of the Programme and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable TV Networks Regulation Act , 1995 and the guidelines for certification of cinematograph films, to bring them in line with contemporary community standards and to make them detailed and specific so as to reduce the scope of subjective discretion. A Committee comprising of various stakeholders has been constituted to move recommendations. Committee has been granted three months time to submit its report. The first meeting of the Committee was held on 10.11.2005.
(e) & (f) Do not arise.