Foreign media: 'decision not influenced'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 18. The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ms. Sushma Swaraj, today said the decision not to allow foreign print media into the country was taken in view of the fact that it was not just another trade. It was decided not to permit foreign investment in this sector after careful consideration and taking into account differences between the print and electronic media, she said.

Addressing a meeting at the Foreign Correspondents Club here, she said ``through the print media you can influence views''. Ms. Swaraj, however, denied that the decision was influenced by any lobby of newspaper owners.

There was a consensus against allowing foreign equity in print media as the concerns that dictated the 1955 Cabinet resolution on this issue were still valid. Replying to a question on whether the resolution passed at the time was ``sacrosanct'', she maintained that it was sacrosanct till the concerns remain valid as all sectors had their own validity.

On the fate of the Convergence Bill in view of the deadlock in Parliament, she said if the Congress allowed the House to function, it would definitely be introduced.

Ms. Swaraj took the opportunity to express her resentment as being considered as a ``prude'' or ``cultural police'' when she was taking up ``gender issues''. She cited the case of a toothpaste advertisement banned by her Ministry. She had objected to the depiction of a woman kissing in police uniform which when worn by a man signified authority. But she felt her ministry was not the forum for addressing these issues and the proposed media council would be an appropriate independent body for it. In this regard, she said a draft bill for the Media Council, replacing the Press Council to bring under its ambit the electronic media, was likely to be ready by the monsoon session of Parliament.

Asked about whether the Media Council would have penal powers, she said this long-standing demand of the Press Council would be considered. As for bringing the Internet under the Council's purview she said it might not be technically feasible for the time being. Regarding not allowing news on FM, she said a conscious decision has been taken to keep hard news and current affairs with Prasar Bharati.

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