Zohra Chatterji, an Indian Administrative Service officer of 1979 batch, has held numerous important assignments in Uttar Pradesh and Government of India. She was responsible for the state roll-out of "Lokvani" an innovative project for grievance redressal in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh for which she received the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in public administration in 2008. Currently, she is the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, since May 2007 and is in charge of the Broadcasting Wing. She is actively engaged in the framing of broadcast policy in newly emerging fields in India.

On the social role played by the I&B Ministry

The I&B Ministry enforces the Programme and Advertisement Codes laid down under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The broadcasters are required to conform to these codes which are designed to regulate content over television channels so that they do not have a negative impact on society. Accordingly on the receipt of complaints, the Ministry issues a show cause notice to the channels, examines the footage and reply of the channels. If the violation is prima facie established, the matter is placed before an inter-ministerial committee (IMC) consisting of members from the Ministries of Home, Women and Child Development, Health, External Affairs, Law, and Defence. Action is taken against the channels on the recommendations of the IMC and they are issued advisories/warnings or directed to scroll apologies. In extreme cases, the channel is taken off the air on a permanent basis or for specified time periods.

On major steps taken to promote digitization in India

India is a country where the prevalent mode of distribution of television content is through the cable operators. Approximately 60,000 cable operators are largely analog based. The key impediment to their switching over to the digital regime is the high investment required which is not affordable by them. The Ministry of I&B is therefore in the final stages of bringing out a policy for introduction of headend-in-the-sky (HITS) services which will enable distribution of multiple channels in digital mode through satellite directly to cable operators who will be able to provide these signals to subscribers with an investment requirement of only about Rs. 4 to 5 lac thus speeding up the digitization process. To ensure that broadcasters are able to distribute their content through alternative digital means rather than only through cable operators, the Ministry of I&B is also in the process of bringing out policies on IPTV and mobile television services.

Your comments on the Broadcast Bill

The Bill is yet to be introduced in the Parliament. I hope that the media will facilitate the passage of the much required Bill once consensus is arrived at regarding the draft. Though there are contentious issues, I am sure that if approached with the right attitude, they can be sorted out.

On setting up a separate Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India

The world over, there are regulators for the broadcasting sector. The authority as proposed in the Broadcast Bill is both viable and essential. As envisaged in the proposed Bill, the authority shall consist of one Chairperson and not more than 6 whole-time members. One third of the members shall be women. The Chairperson and the members of the Authority shall be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendations of a committee consisting of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, and the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. The involvement of the leader of the opposition would ensure that the Chairperson and members of the Authority would be neutral and independent. The Chair person as well as members would include eminent persons having special knowledge and professional experience of at least 25 years in the fields of -

• Television, radio, cinema, advertising, audio-visuals, and fine arts.
• Journalism, mass communication, literature, and social sciences.
• Finance, commerce, audit, and accountancy.
• Electronics, telecommunications, and information technology.
• Consumer affairs, social work/service, and civil society organizations.
• Law and judiciary.
• Public administration and management.

 The authority set up as above will have the force of law behind it and will be an effective and independent authority which will have a salutary effect on the content being aired over TV channels. Self regulation which is mooted as an alternative is no substitute for it as it would not have any statutory authority or enforcement mechanism backed by law. The channels are expected to practice self regulation in any case. It is those who don't, who need to be regulated through the statutory authority of a regulator.

On proposed Content Code under the Ministry's review

All TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertisement Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The Content Code is sought to make the same more explicit. Till it comes into being the existing Programme and Advertising Code will continue to form the basis for direct regulatory action by the Ministry of I&B.

On satellite radio policy and allowing news and current affairs on private FM radio

There is no connection between the Satellite Radio policy and the issue of allowing news and current affairs on private FM Radio Channels. This would not be possible till the FM Radio industry stabilizes further and more effective monitoring methods are developed.

On liberalization policy for Community Radio

Community Radio is a powerful medium of information, education and entertainment for the rural community and gives them a sense of empowerment and involvement. It serves as an effective medium for conveying the information regarding developmental schemes to the rural community for their better implementation. In the Community Radio Policy of 2002 only well established educational institutions, including IIT/IIM were eligible.

In the liberalized policy announced in December 2006, non-profit organizations like civil society and voluntary organizations, state agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, registered societies and autonomous bodies and public trusts registered under the Societies Act are also eligible provided they have been registered for three years at the time of application. The results have been encouraging. As of date, letters of intent (LoI) have been issued to 32 NGOs, 42 educational institutions (including 26 issued under old guidelines), 9 state agricultural universities, and 19 Krishi Vigyan Kendras. These are in various stages of operationalization. The Ministry of I&B is organizing workshops as part of the awareness and capacity building exercise for the scheme. So far three workshops have been organized in Lucknow, Kolkata, and Puducherry. The enthusiasm and response has been overwhelming.

Your views on nationwide CAS rollout

A nationwide roll out of CAS is inevitable as the public will soon demand good quality digitized images through the cable network. Cable operators themselves would also want it to enable them to withstand competition from DTH operators. The extension of CAS to the remaining parts of the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata and its further extension to 55 cities in phases over a period of three to four years is under consideration of the government. The 55 cities proposed include all cities with a million plus population, state capitals and cities adjoining the cities already notified.

On the future of broadcasting and cable sector in India

As per the industry projections, the Indian television industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22 percent during the period 2008-12 and the radio industry on the other hand at a CAGR of 24 percent. The FM Phase II radio policy which is under consideration seeks to extend these services to all cities with a population of 1 lac and above. The satellite radio policy is also on the anvil and will substantially increase consumer choice.

With the introduction of new service providers for distribution of television content using digital addressable systems and with the increasing consumer preferences for converged applications, the cable operators will per force have to upgrade their services to be able to provide triple play.

The opening up of the broadcasting sector to enable introduction of new service providers and enabling policies being put in place are bound to take this sector on a high growth path thus attracting large scale investments. The increased competition will bring down prices and improve quality to the benefit of the subscriber. These are indeed exciting times for both service providers and consumers.

Anything else you may like to add

As already mentioned, there is a need for putting in place a regulator having regional offices for regulation of broadcasting services as envisaged in the draft bill. This is essential for the speedy redressal of disputes and regulation of content. It is in the interest of all stakeholders that a consensus is built up as early as possible and the sector gallops along the path of organized growth facilitated and supported by a full time regulator.