In an apparent move to counter anti-India propaganda from across the border, the Centre has earmarked Rs 100 crore to strengthen communication towers and other terrestrial infrastructure in the country’s border towns.
“We would be investing a sum of at least Rs 100 crore this financial year along the borders to strengthen communication towers and terrestrial infrastructure to save the people from any propaganda (against India),” Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said.
Soni, who was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day ’Media and Entertainment Business Conclave- FICCI Frame- 2009’ here, did not elaborate but was apparently referring to Pakistan’s anti-India propaganda on Jammu and Kashmir border.
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About the emerging TV market in India, she said over 500 TV channels have permission to beam into Indian homes.
“When there is such an invasion into our rooms, there is need for a debate (on the content) as we, representatives of people are answerable to Parliament and others on the sensitivity of people”, she said.
Calling for a debate on ‘what is good, what is too much and what could carry on’, she said there was no need for censorship and regulation but there should be self-regulation.
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“Let us move along with the people, but there shall not be confrontation” at a time when TV content has come under public scrutiny especially the reality show, Soni said.
On the cinema industry, she said piracy was the biggest bane and a few unscrupulous elements should not be allowed to make money out of the work of the Indian movie makers, who she said, toiled hard to entertain national and international audience.
Soni also said the government was on the threshold of auctioning the third phase of FM radio licenses and a note on this would be circulated in the Cabinet.