[icernet] Uplinking issue to be taken to Cabinet

[Arul Selvan]

   The issue of allowing uplinking to a wholly owned foreign company for 
a 24-hour news channel from India is proposed to be taken to the Union 
Cabinet for consideration, the Lok Sabha was informed today.  

 "Consultations with various Ministries have been undertaken and it is 
proposed to take the matter to the Cabinet for consideration," 
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a 
written reply. The Minister said Government has for the first time 
received an application from a wholly owned foreign company for 
uplinking a 24-hour news channel from India which is India focused. This 
has necessitated a re-look at the existing uplinking policy in so far as 
it relates to news and current affairs channels and technology neutral 
guidelines for uplinking, he said.
        As per the policy, all TV channels irrespective of their 
ownership (including equity structure) or management control aimed at 
Indian viewership are permitted to uplink from India subject to 
fulfilment of eligibility criteria and adherence to various terms and 
conditions including adherence to programme and advertisement codes, the 
Minister said.

PTI
27 Feb 2003