MxMIndia

Tag: Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

  • It has formally been registered as a Self-Regulatory Body under the new amendments in the Cable Television Network Act

    MIB formally recognises NBF’S self-regulatory body

    By Our Staff

     

    The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has officially recognised the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF)’s self-regulatory body. “The granting of official status by the MIB to the NBF makes the body the only institution of its kind in the entire nation to get the accreditation from the Government of India,” notes an NBF communique. MxMIndia hasn’t verified this. The older News Broadcasters Association’s self-regulatory body has been in existence for much longer.

     

    Said NBF President Arnab Goswami: “I want to thank all the members of the governing body of the NBF who have worked with me towards making this happen. The media has a pivotal role in strengthening our democracy and taking it to even greater heights. Strengthening the framework of the self-regulation of the media is a big step in that direction. And that’s exactly what the NBF has been working round the clock towards. The NBF prides on its democratic structure and roots across the country. Different languages, dynamic formats and varied audiences, but what binds the NBF is our commitment in coming together to strengthen the media pillar of Indian democracy. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to further strengthen self-regulation in our media.”

     

    Added R Jai Krishna, Secretary General of the NBF: “We are privileged to be the first officially recognised self-regulatory body to be registered for TV news broadcasters. We are grateful to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and our members for reposing trust and faith. We ensure that we will take the news broadcasting of the country to great milestones with our democratic structure, excellence in self-regulation, and bringing the truth and reflections to the doorsteps across the country in maximum languages.”

     

  • Digital media firms with more than 26% FDI must bring it down to toe the line by Oct 15, 2021

    By A Correspondent

     

    On Monday, November 16, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a public notice to facilitate eligible entities involved in uploading/streaming of news and current affairs through digital media, to comply with the decision of Union Government on September 18, 2019, which had permitted 26% FDI under the government approval route.

     

    In a public notice, available on its website, the ministry has today laid out the detailed actions to be undertaken by eligible entities to comply with this decision, within a month. Under the notice,

     

    (i) Entities having foreign investment below 26% may furnish an intimation to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting within one month from yesterday (December 15, 2020) giving the following:-

    (a) Details of the company / entity and its shareholding pattern along with the names and addresses of its Directors / shareholders,

    (b) The names and address of Promoters/Significant Beneficial Owners,

    (c) A confirmation with regard to compliance with pricing, documentation and reporting requirements under the FDI Policy, Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 and Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019 along with copies of relevant reporting forms in support of the past/existing foreign investment and downstream investment(s), if any, and

    (d) Permanent Account Number and the latest audited / unaudited Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet along with the Auditor report.

     

    (ii) Entities which, at present, have an equity structure with foreign investment exceeding 26% would give similar details as at (i) above to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting within one month from yesterday (December 15), and to take necessary steps for bringing down the foreign investment to 26% by 15th October, 2021 and seek approval of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

     

    (iii) Any entity which intends to bring fresh foreign investment in the country has to seek prior approval of the Central Government, through the Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal of DPIIT, as per the requirements of (a) FDI Policy of Government of India and DPIIT Press Note No. 4 of 2019 (dated 18.9.2019) in this regard and (b) Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments)(Amendment) Rules, 2019 vide Notification dated 5.12.2019.

     

    NOTE: – Investment means to subscribe, acquire, hold or transfer any security or unit issued by a person resident in India.

     

    (iv) Every entity has to comply with the requirements of citizenship of Board of Directors and of the Chief Executive Officers (by whatever name called). The entities are required to obtain security clearance for all foreign personnel likely to be deployed for more than 60 days in a year by way of appointment, contract or consultancy or any other capacity for functioning of the entity, prior to their deployment. For this purpose, the entities will apply to Ministry of Information & Broadcasting at least 60 days in advance and the proposed foreign personnel shall be deployed by the entity only after prior approval of this Ministry.

     

    The Public Notice can be accessed at:

    https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Public%20Notice%20%20regarding%20FDI%20Policy%20.pdf