I&B Ministry
Citizens’ Charter of MIB makes commitments for ensuring certain services
NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry today undertook to facilitate sustained annual growth rate of 13 percent for the media and entertainment sector and ensure free flow of information to the public and safeguard freedom of press and media.
In a Citizen’s Charter released by it, the Ministry also said the aim was to effectively disseminate information on the policies, programmes and achievements of government using emerging technologies, promote development of broadcasting industry in India; strengthen the public service broadcaster and work towards universal digitisation of broadcasting by 2017.
The aim was also to expand FM radio network to all cities of 100,000 and above by 2014-15 and community radio service for empowering local communities.
The Ministry undertook to create a policy framework for the development of value based content for healthy entertainment of people of all ages; and restore, digitalise, preserve and enhance public access to the archival wealth of films, video and audio resources.
It would support digital conversion of Indian films by 2016-17 and upscale human resources development and set up centers of excellence for the media and entertainment sector.
The Charter not only contains the names and contact details of officers concerned but also the maximum time limit for various activities being handled by it, documents required and the entry fee. It also includes details of service standards, number of months to be taken for various activities, and the addresses of media units.
The Ministry said the aim was to create an enabling environment for sustained growth of media and entertainment sector, facilitate value based wholesome entertainment and effectively disseminate information on government policies, programmes and achievements.
The services mentioned in it include issue of Issue of license for providing DTH services to prospective licensee, Issue of License to Multi System Operators, Issue of license for providing HITS services to prospective licensee, Registration of Television Rating Points (TRP) Agencies to operate in India, Setting up teleports by TV Channels for up linking/ down linking, Issue of permission for Up linking/ Down linking of TV Channels uplinked from India, Issue of Permission for Down linking of TV Channels uplinked from Abroad.
The details have been placed on the website of the Ministry mib.nic.in.
I&B Ministry
MIB halts news TRPs for four weeks over sensational US-Iran conflict coverage
Government flags panic-mongering in television war coverage
NEW DELHI: India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC) to suspend television ratings for news channels for four weeks amid concerns over sensational coverage of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
According to media reports, the move intends to curb excessive dramatisation in television reporting that could trigger unnecessary public anxiety.
Officials have observed that several news broadcasters are amplifying developments in the conflict in ways that may fuel panic among viewers. By temporarily halting the publication of viewership data, the ministry hopes to ease the competitive pressure on channels to chase ratings through sensational content.
The suspension will remain in effect for one month for now. During this period, television news channels will continue to broadcast as usual, but their audience measurement figures will neither be counted nor released.
Authorities will monitor both the evolving geopolitical situation and the tone of television coverage during the pause. The four-week suspension could be extended if the government believes the risk of panic-mongering or sensational reporting persists.
