Standing Committee Recommendations on Technology Convergence
The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has made significant recommendations aimed at enhancing coordination between various ministries to address the convergence of communication and media technologies.
Proposed Ministry Integration
- The proposal suggests merging the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under a single umbrella.
- This integration is intended to improve coordination in handling issues related to technology convergence.
Report Presentation
- The recommendation was included in the parliamentary panel’s Demands for Grants report for 2025-26.
- The report was presented in the Lok Sabha on Friday and in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Industry Transformation and Challenges
- The media industry is currently experiencing a transformation due to the increased use of smartphones and affordable high-speed mobile broadband.
- These changes have led to a boost in online media consumption.
- Despite the benefits, the proposal is expected to encounter resistance from the broadcasting industry.
Industry Concerns
- Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has highlighted that broadcasting services differ from utility-based telecommunication services in their constitutional context.
- These concerns were communicated to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) during consultations.
Comprehensive Media Bill Suggestion
- The committee has urged the MIB to explore the possibility of introducing a comprehensive media bill.
- This bill would address issues related to broadcasting, cable television, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
