Liberty Institute ON THE BROADCAST BILL, 1997
My report titled "Liberty Institute ON THE BROADCAST BILL, 1997" was published in July 1997. Summary: We think the electronic media should not be treated differently from the print media, and should enjoy the protection under freedom of speech and the press. Consequently, the electromagnetic spectrum ought to be privatised and a market allowed to develop for trading space on the spectrum. This will ensure the optimum allocation of the spectrum among various users. Introduction Liberty Institute prepared this report suggesting a broad range of modifications to the Broadcast Bill 1997, which was introduced in Parliament in May 1977. Subsequently, the Bill was sent to a specially constituted committee of Parliamentarians from both Houses. The Joint Committee of Parliament (commonly known as the JPC) was made up of 30 senior MPs from all political parties. The Bill reflected a welcome consensus on the need to update the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. However...