Media Consultative Committee to discuss concerned issues

To provide a platform for exchange of views concerning civil society, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has constituted a Media Consultative Committee. Under the chairmanship of Secretary, I&B, Sushma Singh, the committee would timely discuss various aspects of the functioning of mass media in India.

The Committee would act as a consultation platform for various professional media bodies and the Government. This is also to encourage media related discussions, including issues pertaining to media regulation, policy and procedural matters.

Taking up the debate on media regulation in public interest, and at the same time to guard freedom of expression and freedom of press as a democratic right, the Consultative Committee would serve the purpose of general public in concern to all issues of debate.

Earlier in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks, the need of a coverage guideline was considered necessary to deal with in any crisis situation. A series of meetings were held between the Ministry and representatives of Media to discuss and draw possible strategy for media coverage.

The Committee would meet at least twice a year or as and when necessary, a government press statement informed today (Feb 20).

Members of the committee: Additional Secretary (Broadcasting); Additional Secretary (Policy &Administration) Member Secretary; Joint Secretary (Broadcasting); CEO: Prasar Bharti; Principal DG (M&C) PIB; DG:DAVP; Member Secretary, National Commission for Women, New Delhi; Secretary, Press Council of India; President, Editors’ Guild; President, Indian Newspapers Society (INS); President, News Broadcasters Association (NBA); President, Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF); President, Indian Media Group (IMG); President, Indian Women Press Corps, New Delhi; President, All India Newspapers Editor Conference (AINEC); President, All India Small and Medium Newspaper Federation (AISMNF); President, Indian Language Newspaper Association (ILNA); Smt. Sandhya Mulchandani, Journalist; Smt. Jyoti Bose, Principal, Springdales School, New Delhi and Smt. Merry Barua, Director, Action for Autism.