In its bid to curb the misuse of media freedom, the government has cancelled the permission of 73 TV channels, 24 FM channels and 9 newspapers and periodicals for violations the regulations in the recent past.
Some of the permissions of 73 TV channels have been cancelled as the channels were not operationalized within the stipulated period of a year while others were denied security clearance by the home ministry. 892 private satellite TV channels are currently registered in the country.
The licenses of 24 FM channels have also been repealed for violation of provisions of the grant of permission agreement (GOPA) signed with the government. At present, 196 FM radio stations are operation in India. Through the Registrar of Newspapers of India, I&B ministry has also cancelled the registration of 9 newspapers/periodicals.
"Realizing the need to update and revise the legal mechanism in print sector, owing to phenomenal growth after liberalization of government policies, I&B ministry has initiated the Press and Registration of Books and Publications (PRBP) Bill with a view to replace the existing PRB Act, 1867," said the information and broadcasting (I&B) minister, Rajyavardhan Rathore. He added that work is in progress towards further tightening norms for the print media.