MxMIndia

Tag: MIB

  • Amazon and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will collaborate to promote creative talent, commence capacity building measures and showcase Made in India creative content, globally, amongst various things

    Amazon pact with MIB

    By Our Staff

     

    Amazon India has signed a Letter of Engagement (LoE) with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, with an objective of growing India’s creative economy. As part of this collaboration, Amazon and MIB will help build pathways to promote creative talent in India, create capacity across film and TV institutes, and globally showcase Made in India creative content. The LoE was signed at The National Media Centre, New Delhi in the presence of I&B minister Anurag Singh Thakur Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President Public Policy at Amazon India and Gaurav Gandhi, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Prime Video.

     

    As part of the LoE, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and IMDb will work together to help enable discoverability of India’s creative talent by listing their profiles and skillsets on the ranking’s platform. Prime Video and miniTV will both work towards providing internships, and scholarships to students at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTII). This will enable students to gain real work exposure, and become industry-ready. Additionally, to commemorate the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations, iconic content from NFDC, Doordarshan, and International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be showcased on Prime Video and miniTV, reaching a vast majority of Indians, furthering its cultural influence and expanding its soft-power. Furthermore, skill-based masterclasses will be organized for the students of various film and TV institutes and 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow – an annual talent enrichment program under the umbrella of IFFI where 75 young, talented artists, shortlisted by MIB will be selected and coached.

     

    Amazon.in will also curate a special storefront feature to promote books and journals across genre reflecting India’s proud heritage from MIB’s Publication Division. The Alexa All India Radio skill published by Prasar Bharti will help disseminate news bulletins, and educational content. The collaboration will also help in broadening the reach of Prasar Bharati’s, rich and diverse music via Amazon Music and Alexa.

     

    Speaking about the partnership with Amazon, Minister Thakur said: “The partnership with Amazon India is unique on a number of counts and the Letter of Engagement spans across various aspects of the creative industry. The partnership would help to strengthen industry-academia linkages through provisions for scholarships, internships, masterclasses, and other opportunities for students at Film and Television Institute of India and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute of India, and help to reduce the period of struggle for the talented artists coming out of prestigious film institutes of India”

     

    Added Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President Public Policy at Amazon India: “As the Indian economy expands at a fast-clip, Amazon is uniquely placed to contribute to the nation’s growth journey on multiple fronts including e-commerce, logistics, digital skilling, cloud computing, payments, artificial intelligence and in building the creative economy. Over the years, we have been working with the Indian government to create a meaningful impact at scale through our various collaborations and initiatives. As we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, this milestone Letter of Engagement with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, strengthens our commitment to globally promote and showcase India’s creative talent and stories through our multiple services such as Prime Video, miniTV, Amazon Music, Alexa, IMDb, and our marketplace business.”

     

    Said Gaurav Gandhi, Vice President, Asia-Pacific, Prime Video: “Our rich cultural diversity offers immense potential, to drive a thriving creative economy and further India’s soft- power, internationally. Our holistic collaboration with MIB, looks at every life stage and every-corner of integration to stimulate the growth of the industry, and we are very optimistic of the pathways that it will create.”

     

  • Shailesh Kapoor rues that the decision to revive news television ratings came from the government and not BARC India

    News Ratings: “Approval” Received

     

     

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Shailesh KapoorAdvisory. Directive. Missive. Instruction. Notice. Approval. Order. Go-ahead.

     

    These are some of the words that have described the communication sent by MIB to BARC India, for the latter to release new channels ratings with “immediate effect”.

     

    While the decision to revive news channel ratings has been long overdue, that such a decision must come from MIB and not from BARC India itself encapsulates the core issue with India’s television ratings system (or Indian television, in general) today. The industry must suffer from the vagaries arising out of too much interference from government bodies such as TRAI and MIB.

     

    To begin with, some of this interference is extra-constitutional. MIB has no official role to play in BARC India, which is an independent industry body. Some may argue that the MIB note is just an advisory that’s not legally binding on BARC India. But we know that’s not how things actually work. If MIB has said news ratings must restart, BARC India has no practical option but to comply.

     

    The restarting of news ratings is a welcome step. But the MIB statement begs the question: Whose decision was it? Why now, just before some big state elections? Have the “problems” that warranted the stopping of ratings in late 2020 been fixed?

     

    When founded as an independent industry body, BARC India would have aspired to hold the positioning of a credible and progressive TV ratings measurement company of one of the biggest TV markets in the world. It’s a highly technical role, and one that should command immense respect from stakeholders across the board. But today, they are positioned as an agency that’s at the beck and call of ministers and administrators, who seem to know more about research, measurement, and statistics than the company set up to run the show. The role of BARC India CEO should have been arguably the most enviable position in the Indian media and entertainment industry. Instead, it’s one burdened with controversies and bureaucratic hassles.

     

    It’s difficult to say how we reached here. Did BARC India make the mistake of opening its doors to “interference” in its early years? Avoiding government interference in media altogether may be difficult. After all, you never know when an “advisory” or a notification is coming your way. Perhaps BARC India could have pre-empted some of this, and worked on setting committees and processes in its formative years.

     

    So, we will soon have news ratings back. That, in isolation, is a good development on several counts, though some would argue that our news channels have become marginally more watchable since the ratings went out of their lives. But the real issue is: The government is finding new ways to run the Indian television industry by proxy, with no apparent logic at the heart of it. From the disasters called NTO and NTO 2.0 to the involvement in BARC India, the government seems to be back in the old Doordarshan mindset: That the state must exert its influence over the media, even if it is just to flex its muscles. And the television industry must grin and bear it!

     

     

  • The activity is accessible by all but only found by a few

    SPN and Dentsu Webchutney conduct a recruitment drive for MIB: International

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures India has joined hands with Dentsu Webchutney to create a secretive application portal on the Internet, accessible by all but only found by a few.

     

    Said Shony Panjikaran, Director and Head of Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment: “The Men In Black franchise is a global phenomenon that appeals to audiences across ages. And with this unique promotion, we wanted to give fans an opportunity to don the iconic MIB suit in London. With MIB, we have rolled out multiple innovations on the digital platform, and by looking at the massive response to the same, we feel quite confident about the success of the film at the Box-office.”

     

    Added Pravin Sutar, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Webchutney: “The MIB franchise is one of the most iconic franchises etched into our imagination. So, when we got the opportunity, we decided to give fans a feel of what an MIB agent goes through. At Dentsu Webchutney, we have been pioneering the field of digital innovations and with this campaign, we have hit that nail on the head, again.”

     

     

  • It’ll be a week since Prakash Javadekar was allotted the I&B portfolio. Here’s our wishlist for the minister

    A Wishlist for the New I&B Mantri

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    We know that Information and Broadcasting is not only the ministry Union Minister Prakash Javadekar is going to be overseeing. The all-important, future-critical environment ministry is also something that the Pune politician is going to be concentrating on. And given the challenges that prevail on the environmental front as India races towards an infrastructure upgrade, clearly I&B will be Javadekar would do well to ensure the ministry runs on an auto-pilot.

     

    The minister is affable, even as he conscientiously follows the party line on all issues. He is friendly with the media, but that’s about it… we know how much the media – especially the part dealing with news – is truly independent.

     

    But there are many things we expect the new minister to do (and not do):

    1. Ensure minimum government intervention: The MIB should have minimal role in the functioning of MIB. It must monitor the role of the TRAI in broadcast and digital. Empower industry associations to take decisions, and if necessary have a body like TRAI to ensure these things happen. Just that. The TRAI shouldn’t be issuing diktats to the industry.

     

    2. Ensure self-regulation proliferates: And in order to be able to do that the government must ensure that all those who wish to take advantage of its largesse (DAVP ads), must be active participants in the self-regulation process

     

    3. Stay away from measurement: The MIB and the TRAI are actively engaged in television viewership measurement. Thankfully, for all players, not in print, radio, digital and outdoor measurement. The government must have no role in BARC, MRUC, RAM etc etc. These are funded by industry, and the forces within each trade will ensure that the measurement agency (and currency) performs.

     

    4. Allow news on FM Radio: This is an old demand that we have tried to impress upon every I&B minister. Insisting that private FM players can only air All India Radio news is pointless. If the government really wants Radio to grow, it must allow news on FM Radio. Let self-regulation and industry associations ensure that quality is ensured and national security isn’t compromised. If it’s okay to have news on TV, print and digital, why not Radio?

     

    5. Minimal controls on OTT: puhleez. OTT is set to grow exponentially and we hear that the government is planning to set rules on the content that will play on the platforms. If that happens, it would be unfortunate, and meaningless because there are enough and more ways to access content. Adequate viewing advisories should be enough, we think.

     

    6. Level and Just Taxes: The industry has been pushing for some relaxations on the GST front. This applies to advertising and the various media and entertainment entities. Minister Javadekar would do well to ensure a level and just playing field for everyone.

     

    7. Continuity: Can we have one single I&B Minister for the next five years, or at lease 2.5 years. Wishful thinking?

     

  • Sad, given that telecom is driving media in a big way, and in order that the digital economy grows, it’s important that there is integrated attention.

    Welcome, Prakash Javadekar. But has Modi missed a trick by not combining I&B with telecom?

    By Your Editor

    The suspense over portfolio allocation ended earlier today with the announcement via a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique. While one needs to figure why some people were chosen (or not chosen) for a few key ministries, there is a new master for the media sector – the information and broadcasting ministry: Prakash Javadekar. The other important ministry for the media – telecom – sees Ravi Shankar Prasad continuing in office.

    Although it requires some lateral thinking, one would’ve thought that given the mandate the new government has won and the Prime Minister’s penchant for going out-of-the-box, we would’ve had a single minister for telecom, and information and broadcasting. There’s a lot more to IT than the internet and social media, and it could well be looked at by another minister, if at all.

     

    However, that’s not been done. And we are back to one minister for I&B and another for communications, IT and electronics. Sad, given that telecom is driving media in a big way, and in order that the digital economy grows, it’s important that there is integrated attention.

     

    Be that as it may, let’s welcome back Prakash Javdekar to the I&B Ministry. He’s affable and has had some experience in I&B (May-November 2014) and a few years as a member of the Press Council of India. Javadekar is liked by most people and can be a consensus-builder.

     

    There is loads happening in the media – especially on the digital front – and the minister would be required to step in and take a progressive approach to tackling things.

     

    Will he? Won’t he? We’ll know for sure soon enough.

  • This notice addressed to all private satellite television channels was reportedly issued because there was news that the election results would also be aired on a leading private news channel

    MIB says non-news channels can’t air news

    By A Correspondent

     

    We don’t know what triggered this. Or perhaps we do. But be that as it may:  the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has underscored that: “News Channels are mandated to carry news and current affairs content, while Non-News and Current Affairs channels are not mandated to carrv anv news and current affairs content. Further, at the time of applying for a Non-News TV channel, the applicant company gives an undertaking that the proposed channel is purely an entertainment channel and does not have any news or current affairs based programme.”

     

    This notice addressed to all private satellite television channels was reportedly issued because there was news that the election results would also be aired on a leading private news channel.

     

     

  • BARC India is happy to have the support of all its stakeholders – broadcasters, media agencies and advertisers

    BARC receives official registration from MIB

    By A Correspondent

     

    As per a communique received from BARC, the ioint industry body has been granted registration for operating as Television Rating Agency under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It may be recalled that at the time of the launch of BARC’s release of data, there were some hiccups with the MIB on the issue were sorted out.

     

    Meanwhile, TAM has also issued a statement which reads: “As per the last update received from MIB officials on TAM’s registration under Policy guidelines dated 16th Jan, 2014, they informed us that TAM’s registration is under process”.

     

    The question of course is that why do both these operators need to register themselves to operate in the business of television audience measurement.

     

    Return to the licence raj?!

     

  • An advisory put out says that it has been brought to MIB's notice that Monday's anti-terrorist operations in Gurdaspur, Punjab, had some news channels carrying telecast of these operations without retstricting themselves to periodic briefing by a designated officer

    MIB alert on live coverage of anti-terror operations

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has notified the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2015, which states that no programme shall be carried in the cable service which contains live coverage of any anti-terror operations by security forces and that media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by a designated officer till such operation conludeds.

     

    An advisory put out says that it has been brought to MIB’s notice that Monday’s anti-terrorist operations in Gurdaspur, Punjab, had some news channels carrying telecast of these operations without retstricting themselves to periodic briefing by a designated officer.

     

    This, the advisory notes, is in clear violation of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2015 and is liable for action. The MIB has issued a desist-from-further-violation advisory.

  • MxMIndia has had a simple, one-line view on this: The government must have no role in audience measurement

    So who did the ‘keeda’ on BARC with the MIB?

     

    By Your Editor [updated]

    The issues with the information and broadcasting ministry have been resolved. According to a tweet by BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, the data will be released at 3pm today.

    Some of those very people who would flock to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting against TAM are now seeing their prized project BARC (short for Broadcast Audience Research Council) getting outwitted by the MIB.

    MxMIndia has had a simple, one-line view on this: The government must have no role in audience measurement.

    Not many moons ago, some of the private channels – the news channels specifically – would go to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting asking for it to intervene on a variety of issues.

    At that time, many in the world were against TAM. NDTV took TAM and its parent to court. The allegation was that TAM’s measurement was flawed and there was corruption in the system. Or so it appeared because that’s precisely why some of the channels which the intelligentsia thought were superb didn’t score well on the ratings roster. The story is not dramatically different for some of the elite channels in the BARC regime.

    But this is not about the ratings of the English and assorted news channels. It’s about the role of the government in ratings and the tendency of channel-owners to go to Shastri Bhavan for all and sundry requests.

    Indulging the government is like playing with fire. Our government has enough dirt to clean as part of its Swachh Bharat campaign. Leave the dirt of the industry to the stakeholders themselves and to market forces.

    The government must step in only if players go out of hand or there is a cartel leading to unfair trade practices where the public suffers.

    In the case of print, where the players are benefactors of DAVP-issued advertising largesse, it looks away from readership survey imbroglios.

    For now, the industry must find who got someone in the ministry to point out a minor procedural flaw in the way things work. Frankly, with all the contacts that some of the BARC top deck has, this could’ve been taken care of.

    Perhaps they didn’t think much about it, and rightly so. The government has no business to get involved. And not even issue any advisories. There are enough checks and balances, and in a sense until TAM exists, there is no clear monopoly for BARC.

    Meanwhile, TAM has issued a statement: “For TAM Media Research, weekly TV Viewership  data release to the Industry will continue as normal. Pursuant to the interim order issued by the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi on Feb 12, 2014, 1.7(a), 1.7(d), 16.1 & 16.2 of impugned guidelines have been stayed till the disposal of the Writ Petition 494/2014 (Kantar Matter).”

    At the time of writing (10.15am), one learns that the Minister of State has been spoken with and he has promised to intervene. So BARC data will get released by the afternoon.

    So all those souls in media agencies and TV channel offices who came in early to the offices to do the analysis, our commiserations.

    Meanwhile, the BARC folks would do well to find out who did the ‘keeda’ to unearth the licence bogey. And ask its constituents not to flock to the mantrijis for all and sundry. Keep them at bay!

     

  • The Advertising Standards Council of India is taking the pro-active route to ensure standards in the craft, says chairman Narendra Ambwani

    Action time at ASCI

     

    Narendra Ambwani, chairman of advertising self-regulator Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), talks to ‘dna of brands’ about the extensive campaign to connect with consumers and educate them on how to file complaints, and seek redress, against ads which make tall claims. Everyone, from local agencies and state governments to the Centre, are now happy to partner with ASCI.

     

    Although established way back in 1985, would you say that 2014 was a landmark year for the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), given all the activities that were undertaken in its capacity as a self-regulator for advertising?

    We have seen growth in leaps and bounds at ASCI every year, but 2014 was definitely a notable year for the organisation.

     

    The year started off with ASCI bagging a gold at The European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) Global Best Practice Awards for ‘significantly reducing’ average time taken to handle complaints. We were credited with reducing the lead time for processing complaints from an average of 45 days in 2011-12, to 28 days in 2012-13 and just 12 days in 2013-14. Recognising our efforts to curb misleading advertisements, ASCI was also made a key stakeholder in the Inter-Ministerial Monitoring Committee (IMMC) by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Further, during the year, ASCI’s role was strongly appreciated and acknowledged by the Medical Council of India (MCI) for taking action against misleading advertisements by doctors. We were approached by various ministries for a potential partnership to look into this issue. So all in all, last year was indeed a landmark year for ASCI.

     

    From a government that was, some years ago, questioning the role of ASCI as self-regulator, to one that is collaborating with it, ASCI has a come a long. Your comments?

    Even though ASCI was considered a self-regulating industry body, it has received considerable support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). A notification dated August 2, 2006, issued under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, states that “no advertisement which violates the Code for Self-regulation in advertising, as adopted by the Advertising Standard Council of India, Mumbai, for public exhibition in India, from time to time, shall be carried in the cable service”. After that, ASCI received statutory recognition. The FDA authorities have also been sending us complaints against advertisements violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. Besides this, ASCI is a key stakeholder in the Inter-Ministerial Committee of the MIB, as well as the Inter Ministerial Monitoring Committee of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Efforts at ensuring ethical advertising practices have earned ASCI its credibility, and the confidence of the government of India.

     

    While policing unethical ads is taking place through ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC), there is still a view that by the time any penal action is taken, the damage is already done. Is this correct?

    ASCI has to provide due process for the advertiser, whose advertisement has been complained against, to respond to the allegations. Providing adequate time for the advertiser to respond, is mandated by law. However, ASCI has recently instituted three new initiatives to speed up the CCC decision process. One is to have the CCC meet four times a month instead of once, so that decision-making takes places within 12 days on an average (as opposed to a month or 45 days previously). And two, starting the Fast Track Intra-Industry complaint (FTCC) redress process, where decisions regarding complaints from one member advertiser against the advertisement of another, are taken within seven working days. Since March 15, 2013, ASCI has initiated the Suspension Pending Investigation (SPI) process. According to this, ASCI can, ex-parte, ask an advertiser to suspend an advertisement, pending final decision by the CCC if, prima facie, it is seen to cause harm or hurt to consumers and the society in general.

     

    If one feels an ad is making unrealistic claims and complains to ASCI, in how much time can one expect a response?

    In the past few years, ASCI has made significant changes in the complaints processing system. Thanks to electronic communication, weekly meetings of the Consumer Complaints Council and the Online Complaint Monitoring Services, the average lead time to take a decision on a complaint is 12 working days from the date a “complete” complaint was received. This includes full details of the print advertisement, the name and date of publication, and clippings or a copy of the print advertisement. In case of a TVC airing, we require the name of the channel, the date and time of the broadcast; a reasonable description of the clip, specific claims or visual depictions which are considered to be false, misleading or objectionable, and the reasons for the same.

     

    Would you recommend a Censor Board-like pre-release certification for ads, just as it exists for films?

    Throughout the country, there are a large number of advertisements being released every year. Under our National Advertisement Monitoring Service (NAMS) initiative, we scan at least 45,000 print ads and 1,500 TVCs every month. It is impossible to create a mechanism and run an efficient system to pre-approve every advertisement which is released in the country. No system would be able to cope with such a large number. So we as an organisation, from inception, have been promoting the concept of “self-regulation in advertising content”, and truly believe in this best practice which is being implemented all over the world.

     

    There are several advertisers who release ads directly through specific media, like mailers or SMS blasts. How do you check these, especially if the publication is not an ASCI member?

    Ever since the launch of our Online Complaint and Monitoring Service (OCMS), we have received complaints against misleading advertisements across all media. While complaints relating to mailers and SMSes comprise a small percentage, they are increasing year on year. Currently, we are monitoring print and TV advertisements via NAMS. However, we do have plans to also track digital media. The processing of complaints is uniform across advertisers, regardless of whether they are an ASCI member or not.

     

    Your Clean Ad Campaign seemed to have been quite a hit. Tell us more about it. Are you going to make it an ongoing exercise?

    We launched the ‘Swachh Ads Abhiyan’ to mark National Consumers’ Day on December 24, 2014, and made a splash about it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube). Since it resonated with the Swachh Bharat campaign, it created a great amount of media buzz. The aim of the campaign was to increase awareness about false claims [made by advertisers] and combat misleading advertisements to safeguard consumer interests.

     

    We engaged with consumers through our virtual platforms, and this drove consumer attention towards the campaign, educating them about not to be misled through advertisements, and the importance of taking action by lodging an online complaint. We believe this initiative has empowered and encouraged consumers to make the right choices, when it comes to advertisement claims.

     

    The campaign was conducted through videos that lent clarity to misleading claims and invited interaction from consumers culminating with a call for action to lodge a complaint online. This resulted in 150% more people engagement and the message reached more than 2.5 lakh consumers. It also resulted in tangible change that was sustained by the social media thrust. For instance, the number of online complaints increased by 166%.

     

    What’s next at ASCI? What are the other activities you propose to take up?

    Our priorities for the year have been chalked out as self-discipline by creators of advertising, easier access to ASCI services, collaboration with regulators and we are keen on being viewed as fair by all stakeholders. Our major focus, therefore, would be on activities enabling these goals. We are going to launch, shortly, an online training programme called the ASCI e-learning. We have plans to further increase awareness and accessibility regarding ASCI. As mentioned earlier, in terms of collaboration with the regulator, we are in talks with the Department of Consumer Affairs and the FSSAI.

     

  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issues Information Memorandum (IM) for conduct of e-auction of the First Batch of Private FM Radio Phase III Channels

    MIB issues Info Memorandum for first batch of Phase III FM auctions

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India issued the Information Memorandum (IM) for e-auction of 135 channels of Private FM Radio in 69 existing cities of Phase II in the first batch. It was issued in continuation of the Union Cabinet’s approval on 16.01.2015 for conduct of FM Phase-Ill auctions for these channels and migration (renewal) of Private FM Radio licences from Phase-II to Phase-III.

     

    Issuance of the Information Memorandum is part of the process of FM Phase III Policy for expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting through private agencies, with the objectives of attracting the agencies to supplement and complement the efforts of All India Radio by operationalising radio stations that provide programmes with local content and relevance, improving the quality of fidelity in reception and generation, encouraging local talent and generating employment.

     

    The memorandum comprises the rules and timetable applicable to the auction and is aimed at informing the prospective bidders about the steps they needed to take in order to pre-qualify and take part in the forthcoming auction.

     

    The memorandum is for information purpose only and has no binding force. Broadly, it outlines the government’s expectations in relation to the proposed auction.  All information contained in it is subject to updating, modification and amendment and does not purport to be complete.

     

    The ministry has issued it to facilitate and encourage potential new entrants to the Indian Broadcasting sector, as well as existing operators, to take an informed decision while participating in the auction.

     

    The ministry has clarified that the memorandum is not intended to form any part of the basis of any investment. Also, neither does it constitute an offer or invitation to participate in the auctions, nor does it constitute the basis of any contract which might be concluded in relation to the auction. It has been put in public domain to merely supplement and update Phase III Policy guidelines and to acquaint the prospective bidders with the design of ascending e-auction.

     

    The ministry has also informed that the recipients of the memorandum intending to participate in the forthcoming auctions should note that Ministry of Information & Broadcasting would separately issue a Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for participation in the Auction which would be definitive and would take precedence.

     

    Details of the Information Memorandum are available on the Ministry’s website www.mib.nic.in.

     

  • I&B ministry initiatives to enhance Outreach and information dissemination through multiple platforms

    MIB issues list of initiatives understaken

    Source: Press Information Bureau

     

    The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has undertaken key initiatives in the different sectors aimed at enhancing the outreach of policies and programmes across platforms. Some of the initiatives undertaken have been innovative involving people’s participation, enhancing government’s presence on the social media platforms and strengthening communication at the grassroots. Some of the key initiatives are as under:

     

    Launch of new Kisan Channel: Government has allocated an amount of Rs 100 crore to Kisan Channel, which will disseminate real time information to the farmers regarding new farming techniques, water conservation, organic farming etc.

     

    Establishment of Social Media Presence of Government of India: In order to facilitate Ministries/Departments in registering their presence on Social media the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has organized a half day training workshop on 11th July, 2014 at the National Media Centre.

     

    Launch of new Arun Prabha Channel for North East: In order to provide a strong platform for expression of cultural identities and for creating greater awareness regarding North Eastern Region, the government has announced launching of a new 24×7 Channel for North East called Arun Prabha.

     

    3rd and 4th phase of Digitization: A Task Force has been constituted to steer the remaining two phases i.e., Phase III and Phase IV of digitization in India, which will pave the way for implementation of digitization initiative in India, which will see digitization of about 8 crores Cable TV homes in India. It is also a step towards the Prime Minister’s dream of a Digital India as digitization will enable quick penetration of broadband connectivity in India.

     

    3rd phase of FM radio auction: On the request of this Ministry, TRAI has furnished its recommendations on migration of FM Radio Broadcasters from Phase-II to Phase-III. The issue is being examined.

     

    Goa declared the Permanent Destination for International Films Festival of India: In order to develop the “Brand IFFI” on the lines of other International Film Festivals, the Goa has been declared as the permanent destination for International Films Festival of India.

     

    North East Film Festival: For the first time, a three-day North East Film Festival was held in Delhi (Siri Fort Complex) on a grand scale. It will henceforth be an annual feature, a prominent event in the film festival calendar of the Directorate of Film Festivals.

     

    FTII, SRFTII to be institutes of National Importance: In Order to provide statutory backing through an act of Parliament to declare both the institutes as Institutes of National Importance the government has proposed a Bill. The proposed Bill would enable both the Institutes to award its own degrees and diplomas and start new activities on the lines of IITs and IIMs.

     

    Meeting with stakeholders related to Set-Top-Boxes to promote Indigenization of Digitization: Efforts were taken to fulfill the long pending demand of domestic manufacturers of Set Top Boxes to get tax concession (C Form benefit) in order to compete with imported STBs.

     

    e-initiatives: The office of Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) under M/o I&B has streamlined its Single Window Public dealing mechanism at its office. RNI has achieved 100 % success in online e-filing of annual statements by publishers for 2013- 14.

     

    Boost to Community Radio movement in the Country: The government has allotted an amount of Rs 100 crores for “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India”. This would enable setting up of 600 community radio stations across the country in the 12th Five Year Plan. This major initiative of the new government will strengthen the connect with the population living in rural and marginalized areas.

     

    Simplification of Procedures for granting Television licences for starting additional television channels: Ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to the proposal of I&B Ministry for not seeking security clearance for such channels whose security clearance have already been sought earlier along with the Board of Directors. This decision has paved the way for speedy clearance of additional television channel permissions, which will benefit the broadcast industry in a big way. After the decision was taken 23 TV channels have already been permitted by the Ministry.

     

    Proposal cleared for Rs.600 crore National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) to preserve India’s film legacy: The revised EFC proposal for a Rs. 600 crore National Film Heritage Mission project to preserve India’s filmic legacy was cleared by the Expenditure Finance Committee in the Ministry of Finance on 3rd July, 2014. The draft Cabinet Note has been circulated to the concerned Ministries and the Note will shortly be submitted for approval of the Cabinet.

     

    Peoples’ participation in Government Advertising through Crowd- Sourcing of Advertisements: The advertisement for the important events being designed on the crowd sourcing model. Independence Day advertisement designed on these lines and DAVP has invited suggestions for the proposed advertisement to be brought out on 5th September to observe “Teachers Day”.

     

    Adopting 360 degree approach to information dissemination: For Independence Day, the advertisements were crowd sourced for the first time and Independence Day coverage was extended to all Media platforms. Similarly, a series of Press Conferences being organized to highlight the initiatives of the Government and the same approach is being adopted to ensure information dissemination across all platforms.