The Information & Broadcasting Ministry has shot off 10 questions to Star News seeking clarifications on its complex shareholding and ownership pattern, and indicated its willingness to revise the policy on uplinking of foreign news channels from India to ensure compliance with Indian law.The Ministry was compelled to shoot questions amid concerns expressed by Indian broadcasters, who demanded a level-playing field in news operations, and amid rumours of shareholder and chairman of the A.V. Birla Group, Aditya Kumaramanglam Birla, relinquishing his 25 per cent stake in Media Content and Communications India Pvt Ltd (MCCIPL), the Indian company that has sought uplinking permission for Star News operations in the country. Some queries • Who is the present owner of Star News channel and who will own it once the company structure is firmed up? • Even with 26 per cent, Star News Broadcasting Ltd remains a majority shareholder. Explain the division of shares. • Do Indian directors have voting rights? • What is the total projected investment for the next five years and the source of funding? • Please furnish financial statement for the past year’s loans proposed to be taken to fund the operations, from Indian/foreign banks. • Total cost of operations and number of staff specifically employed for content creation. • Who will do the advertising and marketing for the news company? Indicating the company will have to apply afresh in case of change in shareholding pattern, officials said they will be asking Star to furnish details of the actual stake of shareholders.The revision in uplinking policy for news channels announced on March 26 comes in the wake of discussions that I&B Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had with PM A.B. Vajpayee today.The meeting was attended by Deputy PM L.K. Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Law Minister Arun Jaitley and the PM’s Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra.Star officials indicated they will furnish the replies by Monday when its application for uplinking comes up for yet another extension next week. Star News has been given weekly extensions since it applied for permission on June 20, till such time as the Government clears its application.
