The Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi on Tuesday said in the Lok Sabha that the Government has initiated the process to review the existing foreign direct investment norms in the broadcasting sector and is in consultation with concerned ministries on the issue. The Minister informed that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended the review of the FDI policy in a “holistic manner” to “bring about a grater degree of consistency in its rules for various segments within the broadcasting sector” and also in view of the “likely convergence” in future between telecommunication and broadcasting sectors. At present, while 100 per cent FDI is allowed in non-news TV broadcasters and internet Service Providers (ISP), both FM radio and Direct To Home services have a 20 per cent FDI limit. Twenty-six per cent FDI limit is fixed for TV news broadcasters, 49 per cent for cable services and 74 per cent for telecom. In reply to another query, Dasmunsi said that there was no proposal to register all online news and current affairs sites as is speculated. He clarified that only sites which desire the domain name under ‘in’ are being registered by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), Department of Information & Technology. On the proposed Broadcasting Bill, Dasmunsi said that discussions were on with stakeholders, including the consumer forum. He informed that while discussions were held with stakeholders on August 8 and September 7, they expressed reservations on the draft content code, role of Prasar Bharti, cross media ownership issues and autonomy of the proposed Broadcasting Regulatory Authority. Replying to another question, Dasmunsi said that there is a proposal to amend the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1967, “to bring it in line with present times”.
