Broadbandindia Magazine

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued its recommendations on Broadcasting .The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) on December 27, 2007 had requested TRAI to examine the matter of allowing certain entities including State Governments, urban and local bodies, 3-tier Panchayati Raj bodies, publicly funded bodies, political bodies and religious bodies to enter into Broadcasting activities which may include starting of broadcast channels or entering into distribution platforms such as cable services, DTH etc.

Consultation Paper

TRAI had released a Consultation Paper on the 25th February, 2008 on the issues arising out of the reference. The Consultation Paper covered issues as to whether it would be in the interest of the broadcasting sector and in the interest of the public at large to permit the Union Government and its organs, the State Governments and their organs, urban and rural local bodies, political bodies, religious bodies etc. to enter into broadcasting activities and distribution activities like cable TV, DTH, etc. The consultation paper also raised the issue whether permitting the State Governments and their enterprises to enter into broadcasting sector would have impact on the Centre-State Relationship and the interse relationship among the States, etc. This was followed by an Open House Discussion (OHD) held in New Delhi on the 16th April, 2008. The Authority has, after carefully examining several Constitutional and legal issues arising out of the reference and after carefully considering the views of stakeholders and the prevailing international practices, arrived at these final recommendations.

No permission to local bodies, state govts. etc.

TRAI in its recommendations have not permitted local bodies , state governments and political outfits to enter into broadcasting activities. After considering the relevant Constitutional provisions, the Constituent Assembly debates, the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission and the judgments of Hon