Lok Sabha Question No. 714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-07
Subject: Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Adoor Prakash, Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 714 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2023)

## GUIDELINES FOR UPLINKING AND DOWNLINKING OF TELEVISION CHANNELS

## 714.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to enforce compliance with Section 35(1) of the 'Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels' issued by the Ministry which states that companies may undertake public service broadcasting on issues of national importance and social relevance for 30 minutes per day;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  monitoring  and  penalty  mechanisms  to  be adopted;
- (c)  whether  any  consultations  were  held  with  relevant  stakeholders  ahead  of  the imposition  of  obligations  of  public  service  broadcasting  by  the  above  mentioned guidelines;
- (d) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  such  guidelines  within  the  scope  of national interest;
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (g) whether the impositions of Section 35 of the guidelines will restrict the right to free speech and expression of television channels in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

(a)  &  (b): Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  has  issued  Policy  Guidelines  for Uplinking  and  Downlinking  of  Satellite  Television  Channels  in  India,  2022  which  is available  on  the  website  of  this  Ministry:  (https://mib.gov.in/broadcasting/broadcastingcodes-guidelines-and-policies).

To  implement  the  Para  35  of  the  said  guidelines  i.e.  Obligation  of  Public  Service Broadcasting,  this  Ministry  has  issued  an  advisory  to  the  broadcasters  on  30.01.2023 which is available on the Broadcast Seva Portal of this Ministry: (https://new.broadcastseva.gov.in/digigov-portal-web  app/Upload?flag=iframeAttachView &attachId=140703942&whatsnew=true).

The objective of this process is to spread greater awareness on the themes of national importance and of social relevance which is to be achieved through voluntary compliance and self-certification by the broadcasters.

(c) to (d) :       Ministry of Information & Broadcasting had uploaded the draft guidelines on its website on 30.04.2020 inviting comments from the broadcasters. The provision of Obligation for Public Service Broadcasting has been included in the Guidelines on the recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) on the subject 'Issues relating to  entry  of  certain  entities  into  Broadcasting  and  Distribution  activities'  issued  on 12.11.2008. TRAI had finalized its recommendations on the subject with due diligence, observing the spirit of transparency and carrying out wide ranging consultations with all the stakeholders.

(e)  to (f) :    As enumerated in reply to (a) & (b) above.

(g) :           No Sir, the Broadcasters have the liberty to modulate their content. Even the relevant  content  embedded  in  the  programmes  may  be  accounted  for  public  service broadcasting.

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