Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022”

GS paper 2

Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development of various sectors and issues arising out of them.

Source: PIB, The Hindu

Context:

• The Union Cabinet has approved the “Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India, 2022”.

Key Highlights:

• Ease issue of permissions to the companies/ LLPs registered in India for Uplinking and Downlinking of TV Channels
• Setting up of Teleports/ Teleport Hubs
• Use of Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG)/ Satellite News Gathering (SNG)/ Electronic News Gathering (ENG) systems
• Uplinking by Indian News agencies
• Temporary uplinking of a live event
• Companies/LLPs having permission to uplink and downlink a channel: They may undertake public service broadcasting (except where it may not be feasible) for a minimum period of 30 mins in a day on themes of national importance and of social relevance.
• Mandatory encryption: The TV Channels uplinking in frequency bands other than C band are mandatorily required to encrypt their signals.
• Net worth requirement for Companies/LLPs holding permissions, to be as per the Guidelines at the time of renewals.
• Security deposit: To ensure payment of dues.

Themes for Public service broadcasting:

• Education and spread of literacy
• Agriculture and rural development
• Health and family welfare
• Science and technology
• Welfare of women
• Welfare of the weaker sections of society
• Protection of the environment and of cultural heritage
• National integration.

Importance of Guidelines:

• Ease compliance: New Guidelines ease compliance for Television Channels
• No prior Permission for Live Telecast of Events
• Uplink foreign channels: Indian Teleports may uplink Foreign Channels
• Obligation to telecast content in National/Public Interest

Advantages emanating from the revised guidelines:

• Ease of compliance for the permission holder:
  • Only prior registration of events to be telecast live would be necessary.
    • No permission for live telecast of events.
  • No prior permission for change of language or conversion of mode of transmission from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD) or vice versa
  • In case of emergency, for a company/ LLP with only two Directors/ Partners, a Director/ Partner can be changed
    • Subject to security clearance post such appointment.
  • A company/LLP can use News gathering equipment other than DSNG, such as optic fiber, Bag back, mobile, etc.
    • No separate permission would be necessary.
  • Ease of Doing Business:
    • Specific timelines for grant for permission
    • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) entities can also seek permission
    • A news agency can get permission for a 5 year period(one year at present)
    • A channel can be uplinked by using facilities of more than one teleport/ satellite(one teleport/satellite at present)
  • Simplification and Rationalization:
    • One composite set of Guidelines
    • Structure of the Guidelines has been systematized
    • Penalty clause: Separate nature of penalties have been proposed for different types of contraventions(uniform penalty at present).

Insta Links:

Content regulation on TV, other platforms

Mains Links:

Q. Has digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of Information and Communication Technology(ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification.(UPSC 2021)