I&B Ministry
FII in news venture: Reddy says studying issue
NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy, today, said that the government is studying the issue whether foreign financial institutions’ (FIIs) investments in news ventures in print and the electronic medium should be delinked from foreign investment or not.
Speaking at a round-table on ‘Opportunities and Challenges: Indian Media Scene Recent Shifts in Paradigm of Media Operations’, organized by Centre for Media Studies here, Reddy said the ministry has been receiving requests for excluding FII investments from the foreign direct investment cap of 26 per cent.
“We’ll have to study the matter properly and get feedbacks before taking a final view on the matter, but the government is aware of the issue,” Reddy said. He also sought the views of other participants too on the whole issue of foreign investment in the media.
Listed media companies- Television Eighteen ltd and Zee Telefilms ltd- have been lobbying with the government to look into the issue of FIIs vis-à-vis foreign investments in news ventures for various reasons.
One of the main reasons cited for seeking such a review is that for listed media companies it is difficult to keep track of buying and selling of stocks of a company by FIIs, which is done as part of portfolio investments, and, thus, should not be treated as part of foreign investment.
Dwelling on the issue of a regulator for the broadcast sector and whether the role of the Press Council of India could be enhanced, he said wide divergence exists on these issues and his ministry would be looking for experts’ views on the issues before arriving at a final decision.
In the past, Reddy has made it amply clear that he would prefer a separate regulator for the broadcast and cable sector and that the job being entrusted to Telecom Regulatory Authority was interim in nature.
On the functioning of Indian pubcaster Doordarshan, though the minister pointed out that it continues to be “more balanced” than its competitors, he said that (financial) dependence on the government was coming in the way of DD’s performance. He requested the participants to suggest a model for providing financial independence to Doordarshan.
In his opening remarks, Reddy said that the recent elections have proved that the media has lost touch with the common man and was becoming more and more urban centric and was no more truly representing multi-dimensional social realities and sadly neglecting rural areas.
REDDY NON-COMMITAL ON DD’S DTH FORAYS
The minister, who interacted with the media on the sidelines of the event, was of the opinion that the country needs a technology like (KU-band) DTH, but when asked whether he supports the Indian pubcaster foraying into the DTH segment, Reddy ducked the issue.
Interestingly, the first question on DTH — do you think the market for DTH in India would open up/is the Indian market ready for DTH? — came from a correspondent of DD News.
According to Reddy, India could do with a technology like DTH and added that “more players” would be allowed in this sector. If this can be taken as a hint, it may turn out to be good news for Tata-Star combine, which is awaiting a green signal from the I&B ministry on a DTH licence, even though the home ministry has given its clearance.
Still, when indiantelevision.com asked Reddy whether he is in favour of DD foraying into DTH, Reddy came up with a non-committal reply: “I haven’t studied the matter in detail.” As per DD’s announced plans, the DTH service is slated to be launched sometime this month or early July.
Asked about another controversial issue, the printing of International Herald Tribune from India, Reddy gave a stock reply: “We have written to the publishers of IHT in India and Hong Kong… we are waiting and watching.”
However, when pointed out that the Indian editor of the Indian edition of IHT, MJ Akbar, maintains no laws were being broken, Reddy retorted, “It’s their viewpoint.”
“Media is not like any other industry. Media needs to be handled with care,” he added, while dispelling the notion that his relationship with Akbar’s associate, Venkat Ram Reddy (printer and publisher of IHT in India and owner of Deccan Herald newspaper), would not hinder action against them.
I&B Ministry
CBFC speeds up film certification; average approval time cut to 22 days
Over 71,900 films cleared in five years as digital system shortens approval timelines
MUMBAI: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has significantly reduced the time taken to certify films, with the average approval timeline now down to 22 working days for feature films and just three days for short films.
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the statutory body certifies films for public exhibition in line with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The rules prescribe a maximum certification period of 48 working days, though the adoption of the Online Certification System has sharply accelerated the process.
Over the past five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the board certified a total of 71,963 films across formats. Of these, the majority fell under the U category with 41,817 titles, followed by UA with 28,268 films and A with 1,878 films. No films were certified under the S category during the period.
Film approvals have also steadily risen in recent years. The CBFC cleared 8,299 films in 2020-21, a figure that peaked at 18,070 in 2022-23 before settling at 15,444 films in 2024-25. During the same period, 11,064 films were certified with cuts or modifications.
Despite the high volume of certifications, outright refusals remain rare. Only three films were denied certification over the last five years, with one refusal recorded in 2022-23 and two in 2024-25.
The board may recommend cuts or modifications if a film violates statutory parameters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
Filmmakers can challenge CBFC decisions in court. Data shows that such disputes remain limited but have seen some fluctuation. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 21 certification decisions were challenged before High Courts, with the number rising to 10 cases in 2025.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan shared the data. The question was raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
With faster timelines and a largely digital workflow, the certification process appears to be moving at a far brisker pace, signalling a shift towards quicker clearances for India’s growing film output.
