Govt planning to make illegal transmission of foreign channels cognisable offence

New Delhi, Dec 6 : With several foreign channels, a majority of them beamed from Pakistan, identified by security agencies as having content that pose potential threat to the country, the govt is planning to make illegal transmission of channels a cognisable offence.

Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said that the proposed amendments were introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2011 and then referred to the standing committee whose recommendations on the matter are now being considered by the I&B ministry.

"Security agencies have identified a list of 24 illegal foreign channels and observed that the contents of some of these channels are not conducive to the security environment in the country and pose a potential security hazard," Tewari told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

He said that the Ministry had introduced the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) second amendment bill, 2011 containing amendments in the Lok Sabha on 15th December 2011 which was referred to the standing committee.

"The standing committee has since submitted its report to both houses of Parliament and the recommendations of the Standing Committee on it are under examination in Ministry," he said.

He said that the amendments included making transmission of illegal channels a cognisable offence and enhancing the existing financial penalties in the Act with a view to discourage cable operator from transmitting illegal channels.

Among the channels which the security agencies have identified which telecast harmful content are Pakistan-based channels Q TV, Madni TV, PTV, PTV Home, PTV World, Geo TV, Dawn, Express, Waqat, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Aaj, Filmax and STV.

Dubai-based Peace TV, Saudi TV, TV Maldives, NTV of Bangladesh, Nepal based Kantipur and Nepal channel, UK based Ahmedia Channel and Bhutan broadcasting channel along with ARY TV and XYZ TV are the other channels which have come to the notice of authorities for the anti India content.