Ambika Soni calls for amending Press Act of 1867
Ambika Soni has urged the media to devote just 5 per cent of news time or print to highlight human success stories every day. She said inspiring incidents of raw courage such as that of Rukhsana of Jammu and Kashmir must be highlighted by the media.
THE UNION Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ambika Soni has said that the Centre will soon amend the Press and Registration of Books Act, (PRB Act) 1867, as the existing provisions of the Act are inadequate to cater to the phenomenal growth of the print media in view of the liberalisation of the government’s policies.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the All India Editors’ Conference on Social and Infrastructure Issues at Srinagar on Tuesday, she said though the Act has been marginally amended several times between 1870 and 1983, the times have not changed and media representatives have also desired to contemporize the Act. She said her ministry has convened a conference of state information ministers early next month in New Delhi to discuss various issues relating to the media.
Referring to the critical role played by the media in a democracy, Ambika Soni said while the media has to act as a watchdog, it also has a responsibility to create awareness about the positive developments that are taking place across the country, especially in the border areas and other remote and inaccessible areas.
Ambika Soni said a new Doordarshan Studio at Leh is expected to be completed during 2010. She said a revamp of the programmes is under way for DD Kashir channel and new programmes produced and executed by young people of the State are expected to be available from 1st January 2010. She said Rs. 14.64 crores have been allocated for DD Kashir’s commissioned programmes in 2009-10.
Referring to employment generation potential in the media industry, she said in States like Jammu and Kashmir, employment for the youth is of crucial importance and recognizing the need her ministry has recently offered setting up of another center of Indian Institute of Mass Communication in J&K. She said she has requested Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah to earmark four to seven acres of land, free of cost, for this.
Inaugurating the conference, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said there is a significant change in the state for the better and his coalition government is giving priority to the issues of Bijlee (electricity), Sadak (road), Pani (Water), Sehat (Health) and Taleem (Education) to benefit the masses.
She said inspiring incidents of raw courage such as that of Rukhsana of Jammu and Kashmir must be highlighted by the media. She said it is important to profile people who overcome adversities against all odds with fortitude and courage. She urged the media to devote just 5 per cent of news time or print to highlight such human success stories every day.
Listing the initiatives taken by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry in Jammu and Kashmir, Ambika Soni said one of the highest priorities is to improve the quality of TV and Radio Transmission and increasing the broadcast coverage in the State. She said a provision of Rs. 100 crores has been made in the current financial year for setting up of High Power TV Transmitters in the border areas of the state and Lower Power FM Transmitters in uncovered areas of the State.
Listing the initiatives taken by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry in Jammu and Kashmir, Ambika Soni said one of the highest priorities is to improve the quality of TV and Radio Transmission and increasing the broadcast coverage in the State. She said a provision of Rs. 100 crores has been made in the current financial year for setting up of High Power TV Transmitters in the border areas of the state and Lower Power FM Transmitters in uncovered areas of the State.
She said under the scheme three High Power (FM & TV) Transmitters are to be set up at Sirpath, Jasrota Top and Khalsar in Kashmir, Jammu and Leh region respectively. One FM Transmitter would be provided at Naushera and one TV Transmitter for DD-1 and DD-News at Rajouri. Low Power FM Transmitters at four locations are also to be set up. It is also proposed to open up more towns to private FM channels with special incentives for border areas under the new FM Phase III policy, which is on the anvil.
Ambika Soni said a new Doordarshan Studio at Leh is expected to be completed during 2010. She said a revamp of the programmes is under way for DD Kashir channel and new programmes produced and executed by young people of the State are expected to be available from 1st January 2010. She said Rs. 14.64 crores have been allocated for DD Kashir’s commissioned programmes in 2009-10.
Referring to employment generation potential in the media industry, she said in States like Jammu and Kashmir, employment for the youth is of crucial importance and recognizing the need her ministry has recently offered setting up of another center of Indian Institute of Mass Communication in J&K. She said she has requested Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah to earmark four to seven acres of land, free of cost, for this.
Inaugurating the conference, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said there is a significant change in the state for the better and his coalition government is giving priority to the issues of Bijlee (electricity), Sadak (road), Pani (Water), Sehat (Health) and Taleem (Education) to benefit the masses.
He said violence has come down in the state and the people, especially youth are now looking for employment opportunities for the betterment of life. Abdullah said revival of Tourism and Handicrafts is important on the path of recovery for the State and urged media to write facts about the state by visiting areas outside main cities like Srinagar to know the reality and interact with common masses to get the correct feedback.
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah in his speech urged the media to give progress made by the State due prominence with facts and figures. Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Corporate Affairs, Salman Khurshid and Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Tara Chand were also present.
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah in his speech urged the media to give progress made by the State due prominence with facts and figures. Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Corporate Affairs, Salman Khurshid and Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Tara Chand were also present.
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