MAN IN CHARGE
Speaking at Goafest 2014, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar assured the media that all decisions will be taken by the Government only after consulting all media stakeholders. Here are a few excerpts from his speech
Cross-media ownership is definitely a matter of debate, and we are seeking views from all, but as long as it is under a legal framework, the government has no issues.
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We are speaking to all FM broadcasters and Phase III will be announced shortly. We are taking a decision on Phase III and IV of the digitization process and 11 crore set top boxes may be imported from China. The Ministry is considering whether to give impetus to local manufacturing of set top boxes, or to import them from China.
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My mission is to make Doordarshan a competitive and a prominent channel. My passion is to make All India Radio, which is really popular and has fantastic content, better. There are simple issues like the transmitter batteries getting exhausted. We need to give air to AIR. We will make DD a success story. Just today I wrote a note. I will address the cable industry on their issues only after they comply with carrying DD channels.
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I’m told ASCI has done beautiful work. There is nothing better than self-discipline. When institutions like ASCI are present, there is no need for the government to intervene. We will rely on you and work with you. If the sector is coming up with solutions, doing due diligence, there can be no better solution going forward.
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The social media platforms are governed by the IT Act, which is a 10-year-old legislation. Today the scenario is different. However, every freedom comes with some responsibility. Lakshman Rekha needs to be preserved. Not by putting them in jail, but by telling them where the Lakshman Rekha is.
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TAM is a private issue. When advertisers are ready to believe it and give advertisements, what can we do then? TAM has a specialized skill in marketing its product. They issue market rating in a way that every channel can say we are Number One. Then there is a small line, we are Number One in the time band – 9-10 am.
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I believe in freedom of expression through advertisements, messages, media and every platform. A new India means an assurance of complete freedom to the media. There has to be an absolute freedom because the right to criticism is your right. Right to dissent is the essence of democracy and when this freedom is nurtured, can we say what we have achieved as a democratic nation.
Winners @ Goafest
