Question : CONTROL ON STING OPERATION

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to regulate sting operations carried out by the private TV channels;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has received any complaints for blocking of some news channels being aired on Gujarat riots as reported in Hindustan Times dated November 1, 2007;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government in order to maintain the autonomy of TV channels; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to check/regulate sting operations carried out by the Private TV channels and consider the legislation of Broadcasting Bill as directed by High Court?

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI P.R. DASMUNSI)

(a)& (b) The Government is seriously working to finalise the draft of the proposed Broadcasting Service Regulation Bill in close consultation with various stakeholders and State Governments. The Bill inter alia seeks to set up a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India to deal with content issues amongst others. However, it is not specifically focussed on Sting Operations. The present draft of the Bill is available on the Ministry’s website www.mib.nic. in.

(c) & (d) No, Sir.

(e) TV channels are autonomous and there is no proposal to curb their autonomy. However, they have to abide by the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and rules framed thereunder and any other regulation issued from time to time.

(f) As mentioned at (a) & (b) above.