Digitisation, FDI issues highlights of I&B Ministry in 2012

Soon after taking charge, Tewari sent a reference to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to know how it can be ensured that monopolies do not subsist in broadcasting. The ministry also sought the telecom regulator's recommendations over entry of central or state governments and their entities into broadcasting.

Another important step which the government took in 2012 was to open doors to more foreign direct investment in broadcasting. The FDI limit of 74 per cent was allowed for carriage services such as Direct to Home (DTH), Mobile TV and Headends in the Sky (HITS).

However, in the radio sector, the much awaited e-auction of over 800 FM radio channels covering 280 cities and towns with a population of over one lakh could not be achieved by the ministry due to unreserved issues related to the mechanism

for conducting the auction.

In the year, the ministry also drew up gala plans for the 100th year celebrations of Indian cinema and held screenings of movies at centenary film festivals at Puducherry, Dhaka, Ranchi, Geneva and other cities.

Dadasaheb Phalke's first production "Raja Harishchandra" was screened at Coronation Cinema in Mumbai on May 3, 1913, marking the beginning of Indian cinema and the ministry's celebrations which began in 2012 will continue in 2013.

Another important development during the year was the resolution of a year-long row between the I&B and Health ministries over the depiction of anti-tobacco messages in films with smoking scenes.

The two ministries after a year of sparring agreed that anti-tobacco health spots of minimum 30 seconds shall be shown at the beginning and middle of films which have scenes displaying tobacco products or their use.

An audio-visual disclaimer of minimum 20-second duration on the ill-effects of tobacco use shall also be displayed at the beginning and middle of these films, it was decided.

... contd.

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