MAM
Media companies oppose Broadcast Bill 2006
NEW DELHI: It was day of lobbying here as print and electronic media met up with a government official on Thursday to express serious concern over a draft Broadcast Bill 2006, which despite being in formative stages has the potential of being restrictive.
The underlying theme of a meeting that media company representatives had with I&B secretary SK Arora was that proposed media norms were simply ways to gag the media, even if it’s still to get a Cabinet nod, and had to be opposed.
More irksome and dangerous, media companies felt, was an attempt by the government to try draft a legislation without consulting the industry, contrary to what had been done with other media norms (especially the PRB Act relating to the print medium), which smacked of total lack of transparency.
Though Arora did not hand out any assurances at the meting with the media committee of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), he did admit that he would try preparing a concept paper based on a draft Cabinet note relating to the Broadcasting Bill 2006 for industry’s feedback.
The senior government official, who also received a representation from the Indian Broadcasting Foundation separately later in the day, tried his best to allay fears of the media and conveyed that some of the so-called draconian features and restrictions already existed in some form or other in existing pieces of legislation.
According to some of those who attended the meeting, when confronted with the fact that proposed norms would hamper fair business activities, Arora opined that government’s endeavour was not to be restrictive, but facilitate business and create a level playing field for all.
Those who attended the meeting included the India Today Group chief Aroon Purie, Business Standard’s CEO and editor T N Ninan, Zee group’s Jawahar Goel, Discovery Network India’s EVP and MD Deepak Shourie, NDTV’s Narayan Rao and Star Group India CEO Peter Mukerjea, The Tribune newspaper editor HK Dua and Reliance-Anil Ambani group’s Tarun Katial.
That Arora had very little to offer to the media, except carry their feedback to his political masters, was evident when Reliance’s Katial brought up the topic of allowing news and current affairs on private radio FM stations and drew a blank from the government official.
Though CII is yet to issue an official statement on the meeting, opinion seems to be divided.
While one media representative termed the meeting “an exercise into futility with lot of work still to be done,” another said that most media companies felt a bit re-assured.
However, on one issue there was unanimity: the need for electronic and print apex bodies to come together on a common platform to raise voice against restrictive media legislation.
Increasingly as the government faces flak over the proposed Broadcast Bill, which smacks of restrictions and attempts at media muzzling by introducing a government-controlled regulatory body, industry too is scurrying to get its act together.
In the middle of June, the I&B ministry had circulated a draft Cabinet note on regulating broadcasting services amongst other ministries for feedback. When leaked in the media, it kicked up a furore.
Since then, I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi has been blowing hot and cold. First he denied existence of the draft. Then he backtracked to say he’d bring in a media-friendly legislation in Parliament to emphasize the very next day that he does not propose any “dilution” or “pollution” in the draft.
While the government would want to bring the Bill in Parliament in the monsoon session, starting from Monday next, other ministries are yet to send in their feedback that may take up to 15 days for compilation, according to an official of the I&B ministry.
MAM
Dettol launches new emotional campaign for Antiseptic Liquid
Heartfelt film celebrates mother’s instinct with the tagline “Nothing protects like Mom & Dettol.”
MUMBAI: Dettol has found the perfect formula for its latest campaign, a generous mix of maternal love and antiseptic care that’s sure to tug at every Indian heartstring. The iconic germ protection brand has rolled out a touching new campaign for Dettol Antiseptic Liquid built around the universal truth of a mother’s instinctive care. The film brings to life the simple yet powerful idea: “Nothing protects like Mom & Dettol.”
Set against the lively chaos of a shaadi ka ghar, the story follows a young boy who hurts himself but puts on a brave face to hide his pain. The moment he reaches his mother, she instinctively senses something is wrong. As she gently tends to his wound with Dettol Antiseptic Liquid, his guard drops, leading to a tender role reversal where the child ends up comforting his mother. The film ends with the poignant line, “Apnon ki suraksha ka mazboot sahara.”
The campaign reinforces Dettol’s timeless place in Indian homes as a reassuring companion in moments of vulnerability. It was conceptualised and written by Prasoon Joshi
, with an original track composed by Vishal Khurana K, sung by Javed Ali, and lyrics by Prasoon Joshi. Amit Sharma directed the film.
Reckitt EVP regional director for South Asia Gaurav Jain said the campaign captures the deep emotional bond between a mother’s instinct and Dettol’s protection. “This campaign encapsulates that delicate, human truth, a mother senses hurt even before it is spoken, and Dettol strengthens her ability to respond with care and confidence,” he noted.
Prasoon Joshi added, “When a child is hurt, the first instinct is to reach for their mother, their ultimate safe space. And in that moment, the mother turns to Dettol, something she trusts to protect what matters most.”
As the flagship product in the Dettol portfolio, the Antiseptic Liquid continues to offer unmatched protection for cuts and wounds, standing shoulder to shoulder with mothers through life’s small scrapes and bigger worries.
In a world full of flashy advertisements, Dettol has quietly reminded us once again that the strongest protection often comes wrapped in the simplest, most heartfelt moments, the kind only a mother and a trusted bottle of Dettol can provide.
