INTERVIEW

"WE SHARE THE CONCERNS OF ALL"

I&B minister Pramod Mahajan appeared in a program called Awaaz (Voice) on Star Plus last week where a cross-section of people -- including lay viewers and cable operators - hurled questions at him. The question and answer session helped give Indian audiences a peek at what television and broadcasting policy is likely to be. The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter brings you excerpts of Mahajan's responses from the show.

Q: WHY ARE YOU MAKING PRASAR BHARATI INTO A PRACHAR (PROPAGANDA) BHARATI OR PRAMOD BHARATI?

A: I don't want to make Prasar Bharati into either Prachar Bharati or Pramod Bharati. Times have changed since 1977 when the Prasar Bharati idea was first mooted. DD was the only broadcaster then. People had to watch whatever the government gave them. Today, there are many other news and current affairs channels. Hence the government needs a vehicle to get its message across to people. As far as misuse of the network goes, ministers will not be in a position to appear on DD repeatedly as viewers will simply refuse to turn it on as they will get tired of politician's faces. They will turn to other private channels. DD therefore can ill-afford to become a propaganda machine for any government. It will have to be objective without being autonomous. The government has set up DD. We have invested close to Rs 600,000-700,000 million in it and it costs Rs 10,000 million a year to run. The government is answerable to the people, to Parliament for the running of DD. I believe we can't leave its responsibility to a bunch of four-five people who will be on the Prasar Bharati board for six years. Therefore, I've raised a national debate about what the status of Prasar Bharati should be.

Q: WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING TO ENSURE THAT CHANNELS CARRY PROGRAMS WHICH FAMILIES CAN WATCH?

A: We share the concerns of all. Television programming is not the best today. Not only DD, but there are several other channels which are not regulated by us that are indulging in programming which you cannot watch with your children. DD has self-censorship. So do other channels but I don't know if it is good enough. Also, cable operators show adult films. I will have to find a solution. The Cable Networks Regulation Act will be amended to include program and advertising codes, which will be applicable to all channels. On my part I will strive to ensure that DD carries mainly family-oriented programs.

Q: WHY IS THE DTH BAN BEING LIFTED?

A: DTH has been around in India for sometime now. It has been available in C-band via cable and to receive those programs you need a 12-foot dish. Ku-band DTH, however, calls for the use of a 12-inch dish. Instead of 10-12 channels you can get 100 channels with Ku-band. It's only a difference of technology. The program and ad codes will be applicable to DTH as well as other forms of broadcasting. I believe everyone will follow the codes. A businessman who is pouring in millions of dollars to do business with DTH will follow the rules. He will not be foolish to incur the government's wrath. We will also have other ways of dealing with defaulters.

Q: PAY TV CHANNELS ARE DENTING CABLE OPERATORS ARE DENTING REVENUES. ARE YOU DOING SOMETHING ON THIS SCORE?

A: I cannot answer on the pay channels issue now. It's a very difficult task. We will have to monitor what they charge and then what they should charge. After we do all that, there may be allegations that we are trying to usher in price controls. I don't think I want to do that.

Q: WILL THE GOVERNMENT MAKE ADDRESSABILITY COMPULSORY FOR BROADCASTERS AND CABLE OPERATORS?

A: If we can find solutions which are do-able and economical, I am in favour of it. The key issue is achievability and economics. I will study it and clear it if I find it feasible.

Q: WILL THE GOVERNMENT DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF SMALL OPERATORS WHO ARE INCREASINGLY COMING UNDER THE ATTACK OF MSOs RUN BY MULTINATIONALS AND OPERATORS LARGER THAN THEM?

A: We will study whether people should be in television, production and transmission. We will also consider if being in every aspect of the television business leads to the creation of a monopoly for a firm. Right now, however, we will not do anything. If we do, every small businessman will come to us and say that the government should protect his interests from larger companies.