The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday said that the state and central government should not be allowed to enter into the business of broadcasting and distribution of TV channels putting an end to the concerns that such a step may lead to conflict of interest.
“The central/state government ministries, central/state government departments, central/state government owned companies, central/state government undertakings, joint venture of the central/state governments and the private sector and central/state government funded entities should not be allowed to enter into the business of broadcasting and or distribution of TV channels,” Trai said in a statement.
Following requests from several central and state ministries to either set up TV stations or enter into distribution, the ministry had sought Trai’s views if they could enter in such sectors.
Earlier the ministry had also rejected requests made by Human Resource Development Ministry and few states such as Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
According to Trai’s 2008 recommendation, these entities were not permitted to enter into broadcasting and distribution activities.
The regulator has also recommended that the arm’s length relationship between Prasar Bharti and the government should be further strengthened. It said that such measures should ensure functional independence and autonomy of Prasar Bharti.
It also said that in cases where the central government has already accorded permission to any such entity to enter into the cable distribution platform, it should provide an appropriate exit route.
