Stop DTH8217;s entry into Indian homes8217;

MUMBAI, FEB 7: Speakers at a recent seminar on Direct-to-Home DTH television lashed out at what they called the government's hidden a...

MUMBAI, FEB 7: Speakers at a recent seminar on Direct-to-Home DTH television lashed out at what they called the government8217;s 8220;hidden agenda8221; to introduce this technology without any regulatory mechanism. Titled, Direct-to-Home television -Confluence of Media and Technology: How Far is Too Far8217;, the seminar was organised by the Save India Society and the Society for Advancement of Economic Growth.

Social activist Tushar Gandhi felt since most of the television networks are based abroad and are not subject to Indian laws, it would be difficult to keep a tab on their activities. He cited the instance of how his great grandfather Mahatma Gandhi was insulted by Star TV and nothing much could be done about it. 8220;Since this TV channel was foreign based we could not punish the culprits,8221; said Gandhi.

Former Bombay High Court Judge S M Daud opined that DTH would have both a negative and a positive impact. He, however, said the negative impact could be minimised by providing a level playing field to bothforeign and Indian companies. 8220;Both foreign and Indian entrepreneurs should be treated on par. An Indian company, if allowed to run a DTH network, will be subject to Indian laws, while the same will not bind foreign players. This is unjust,8221; said Daud.

Former minister and editor of Navbharat Times, Rammanohar Tripathi called for a national debate before introducing the 8220;sensitive8221; technology. Former Mayor Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar pointed to the cabinet resolution of 1955 prohibiting foreign companies to own newspapers in India. 8220;How can the government even think of allowing foreigners to run DTH in this country which will have a greater social impact?8221;

Management consultant and Swadeshi Vichar Mandal member Ramesh Sheth lashed out at the government saying the Bharatiya Janata Party which regarded itself as the saviour of Indian nationalism and culturalism was now talking of giving 100 per cent foreign equity holding in a crucial matter like DTH. 8220;While several other national issuesstill remain to be sorted out promptly, the government is in a hurry to introduce DTH,8221; he rued.