Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

1. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Government of India Action Taken on recommendations of Sectoral Innovation Council

2. Overview • The Sectoral Innovation Council (SInC) on Media & Entertainment in the Ministry of I&B – set up on 28th July, 2011 • The council submitted its report on 26.7.2012 • The Council made 64 recommendations in various sectors of M&E viz. Broadcasting, Film Animation, Gaming& VFX, Print media, Advertising , Media Education and other issues.

3. Sector wise recommendations Broad Area No. of Recommendations 19 12 05 03 08 09 08 64 • Broadcasting • Film • Animation, Gaming & VFX • Print media • Advertising • Media Education • Other Issues • Total

4. Action taken on the Recommendations • All the recommendations of the SInC were examined in the Ministry. • The recommendations have been categorized in the following categories based on the outcome of the deliberations held in the Ministry: • Recommendations on which Action has been Taken • Recommendations which were Reviewed; but issues found • Recommendations which are Under Review

5. Recommendations where Action has been taken • Regarding focus on regional areas, the same is already been done in the Ministry through a no. of ways, viz • issuance of advertisement to local newspapers, • undertaking field campaigns in local language and • carriage of local language content by public broadcaster. • Regarding greater use of New Media, the Ministry has registered its presence on all available social media platforms viz. FB, Google+, Twitter, Youtube, Blog, etc. • Conversion of licensing and other such activities to e-mode, the same is being followed by major MUs of the Ministry

6. Ministry is propagating Soft Power of Films abroad through film markets and festivals. • On need of Government to amend regulation to allow digital cinema: Demand for digitization being market driven, the film industry has achieved 77% digitization of screens. • Ministry has rolled out “Anti Piracy Initiative” under the 12th Plan, with an outlay of Rs. 2 crores.

7. Inter-Ministerial Committee for Film Facilitation and Promotion (Single Window Clearance Mechanism) has been set up, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) adopted. • Media units like Films Division, CFSI and NFDC reviewed keeping in view current requirements. • Ministry has signed nine Co-production treaties for audio-visual content which includes animation. And those with Japan, South Korea and Australia being taken up.

8. Ministry creates original Intellectual Property (IP) through its media units. Children Film Society of India (CFSI) has produced Hindi Animation film GoopiGawaiyaaBaghaBajaiyya in 2012-13. This film has received wide acclaim. • In order to start niche channels as public broadcaster, PrasarBharati has initiated the process of digitalization. • The issue of creation of a Public Service Broadcasting Fund will be taken up in line with USO fund of Telecom for accelerated PSB out of surplus channels after the completion of the process of digitalization. • For FM segment de-regulation, FM Phase III Policy is a major step forward.

9. Regarding recommendation relating to implementation of mandatory digital addressable system to address piracy issues , the first 2 phases of cable TV digitization have been completed in 42 cities. Remaining two phases of digitization are scheduled to be completed by 2014 On bringing in place a credible trp system, policy guidelines for television rating agencies have been issued by the ministry on 16th January 2014. This would ensure a transparent and credible system for generation of trps in india To promote healthy competition in TV sector, it may be mentioned that the ministry has not put cap on the number of channels that can be permitted in the country as per TRAI recommendations.

10. Recommendations - Reviewed but Issues Found • Ministry supports the recommendation regarding Home Grown News Agency though it is largely an Initiative to be taken up by Private Stakeholders in the field. • Regarding setting up of Media Education Council, the issue pertains to Ministry of HRD who have already set up a Council to explore the possibility of accreditation of media education. • No need to redefine the Heritage Mission as the Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) is organizing film festivals of short duration in India and overseas.

11. With regard to recommendation relating to removing constraints on owning or creating content by DTH platforms, it is informed that DTH operators are not allowed to generate their own content and uplink the same from their earth station as per the DTH Guidelines 2001. Recommendations are therefore not implementable. • With regard to recommendation regarding dropping of ‘must provide on non-discriminatory terms” Clause in the Interconnection agreement, it is to be noted that the must provide clause ensures a level playing field for all players including small MSOs. Recommendations are therefore not implementable.

12. Recommendations under Review • Regarding Enhancement of FDI limit from 26% to 49% for print media, the issue is being deliberated upon in the Inter Ministerial Committee in consultation with PCI. • Regarding utilization of innovation in “OOH Advertising linking software, the issue is under active examination of the Ministry. • Regarding merger of some MUs to ensure synergy, a Committee has been set up in the Ministry to explore such a possibility. • Institution of National Award for Innovation in M&E requires a series of consultations with various stakeholders.

13. Regarding bringing out a National Media Policy, the process requires a policy decision and series of consultations with various stakeholders. • National film policy is under wide consultation as exhibition of films is a State subject , and films are primarily produced in the private sector. • Cabinet Note, along with Draft National Institute of Film, TV and Allied Studies Bill, 2013 has been circulated for upgrading FTII and SRFTII as Institutes of National Importance • IFFI reorganization under review

14. Recommendations of film industry regarding taxes examined and submitted to Finance Ministry. • Widespread Consultations held on the subject of Animation, Gaming and VFX. National Centre of Excellence in Public Private Partnership Mode to be set up in Mohali, Punjab. • Workshop with Television Industry to be organized for special time slot for Indian animated content for children. • Given the difficulties relating to monitoring of radio transmission, de-regulation of the Radio segment requires wider consultations

15. The recommendation that the ministry of I&B should collaborate with department of it and Ministry of HRD to speed up localization in indian language computing is under review. It is proposed to organise a workshop with stakehoders as this is a new area not covered under any policy/guidelines. With regard to announcement of ‘open skies’ policy for DTH operators, it is proposed to organize a seminar with industry, dos and dot to find out the solution as the issue falls in the domain of the department of space.

16. The recommendation that the Government should put in place policy guidelines for OTT Services is under review as the same needs to be looked at by the Department of IT. • With regard to recommendation regarding reorientation of FDI regime , it may be mentioned that the Broadcasting sector has already put in place a very liberal FDI regime, however further recommendations in this regard have been received from TRAI and the same is under consideration of an Inter Ministerial Committee in the Ministry. • With regard to recommendation regarding narrow casting, it needs to be stated that an expert group is proposed to be constituted.

17. With regard to the suggestion regarding putting in place a Content sharing mechanism between CRS and AIR it is proposed to set up an Expert Group • The suggestion regarding the need to look afresh at the existing licensing procedure and the need for amendments in various guidelines it is proposed to set up a working group to examine issues and suggest changes.

18. With regard to the recommendation that an independent regulator should be set up after DAS is implemented, it is mentioned that DAS will be fully implemented by December, 2014. The recommendations will be considered after complete digitization is achieved. • With regard to recommendation that the commercial time of channel may be fixed for social messaging, a working group is proposed to be constituted in the Ministry with stakeholders to make recommendations.

19. Thank you