GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 6318

ANSWERED ON: 15.05.2012

INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

ARJUN ROY

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:-

(a) whether significant changes are being witnessed in Information and Broadcasting Sector with the

introduction of new technology;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether such changes have totally turned this sector into a commercial enterprise;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(e) whether this sector is more accountable to social obligations to earn financial profit;

(f) if so, whether the Government proposes to keep up the social obligations of this sector; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI

C.M. JATUA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As convergence of new technologies are revolutionizing the Indian Information

and Broadcasting sector, one of the key thrust areas of the Ministry has been to promote the growth of

digital content delivery platforms. The major initiatives taken by the Ministry in the field are given at

Annexure-I.

(c) to (g): The changes have made the I&B sector more dynamic and the sector has seen large

investments with enhanced capacities. The Government owned Prasar Bharati accords first priority to

its role as a public broadcaster and to its social obligations. These are not lost sight of in its effort to

become commercially viable. The details of public service mandate and the benefits to the common

man are at Annexure II.