Asked about her stance on TRAI recommendation, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Friday indicated her support for the proposed hike but added that the Government would take any decision only after consulting all stakeholders.

“I personally feel that 49 per cent FDI should be allowed, except for radio that has not been cleared. A lot of medium newspapers, which are hard-pressed and need infusion of funds, are in favour of it. But the Government will take a decision only after consulting all stakeholders,” Soni told The Indian Express.

The 49 per cent FDI, as proposed by TRAI, also includes foreign institutional investors. The TRAI has also recommended a raise in the ceiling for cable networks from the existing 49 to 74 per cent and for FM radio, from the existing 20 to 49 per cent.

The UPA Government also appears to be relenting on its proposed content code for television news channels, which was opposed by broadcasters. The code was under active consideration of the UPA Government in its previous stint, especially in the wake of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Asked about her stance on this issue now, Soni cited the arguments of the News Broadcasters Association and Indian Broadcasters Foundation about self-regulations being a better option. “Content code is not on our agenda. The Government does not have any intention of putting in place any regulatory body to monitor. We have no intention of doing that,” she added.

The I&B Ministry is also seriously looking into the demands by broadcasters, who had faced flak for the manner of 26/11 coverage, to set up some nodal authority or institute some mechanism to disseminate information and coordinate with them in times of crisis like the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Ministry is exploring the possibility of setting up such a nodal centre that could comprise a minister and some officials who could coordinate with other wings of the Government and disseminate information in times of unforeseen happenings. “But I have to first seek the Prime Minister’s clearance for that,” said Soni.