News Broadcasting
Cable ops seek public support on CAS
NEW DELHI: Even as the Indian government is weighing various options, including promulgation of an Ordinance junking CAS (conditional access system) for all practical purpose, a seemingly perturbed cable fraternity in Delhi has called for an interaction with the media on Monday to reach out to the government as well as the consumers.
The press conference called by the cable fraternity, likely to be attended by representatives of some multi-system operators (MSOs) too, seems to have one single agenda: communicate to the populace of Delhi, especially South Delhi, that their “support” is needed to make CAS a reality.
“The meet has also been called to educate the consumer on the pros and cons of CAS, the politics involved, the high-handedness of the broadcasters, most of whom have raised prices for pay channels, and the Catch 22 situation in which the cable industry is in,” a cable op, part of organising panel for the press conference, said.
With time running out for all the stakeholders of CAS, including the government, activity like these are likely to increase in coming days.
The government, on its part, is toying with the idea of an ordinance, but for that to happen the ground has to be good enough to convince the President.
Of course, the government can also go in for an interim broadcast regulator — as has been demanded by the consumers body.
However, for all these to happen, a certain thing has to be kept in mind: the political atmosphere of the country.
A government that seems to be gearing up for an early poll would not be a government to take decisions that would anger the hoi-polloi.
