The Hindu : National : Print media: GoM to look into policy paradigm too

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

National

National

Print media: GoM to look into policy paradigm too

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 29. As the Union Cabinet decided today to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into the print media policy, it took note of its own resolution adopted in 1955 which did not want publication of foreign magazines and newspapers in India.

It also took note of the three decisions taken by the Government in 2002 allowing 26 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in periodicals and newspapers dealing with news and current affairs and 74 per cent FDI in journals and speciality magazines while restricting syndicated content in any publication to 7.5 per cent of the total printed area of that issue, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, S. Jaipal Reddy, today.

The Ministry had proposed amendments to the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act primarily to empower the Government to deal with the printing and publication of the International Herald Tribune (IHT) from India.

Of the view that the publication of IHT violates the guidelines prescribed for syndication and the 1955 Cabinet Resolution, the Ministry had asked it to stop publication on June 4. However, at today's briefing, the Minister did not mention any particular publication. The GoM would look at violations that may have occurred along with the "policy paradigm."

PM to decide

Mr. Reddy said the Prime Minister would decide who the members of the GoM would be. While he gave details of what transpired within the Cabinet on the issue, he refused to elaborate on the nature of the amendments suggested by the Ministry.

Such an amendment has been under consideration since June this year to give the Cabinet Resolution of 1955 — as per which no foreign-owned newspaper can be published in India — and syndication guidelines a statutory status to empower the Government to proceed against the printing and publication of IHT from India.

Since last May-end, the IHT is being published from the Deccan Chronicle Press in Kondapur near Hyderabad by T. Venkattram Reddy on behalf of Midram Publications Private Limited.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section