Broadcast regulator TRAI’s Chairman P.D. Vaghela on Monday batted for easing of broadcast sector regulations in India — albeit in a phased manner — and suggested any future rules being contemplated should also be assessed for the impact they would have on the stakeholders and consumers alike.

In his inaugural address at a TRAI-organised seminar on ‘Emerging Trends Broadcasting Sector in India’ at the ongoing India Mobile Congress 2022 in New Delhi, Vaghela, according to an official statement put out, underlined the need for balancing the interests of the stakeholders in the light of technological, economic and social developments

While pointing out there’s a plethora of rules for the broadcast industry in the country, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chief said he was of the opinion that any  regulations being formulated should be assessed for the impact they would have on the stakeholders, including technology.

Highlighting some of the emerging technologies in the broadcast sector, such as metaverse, multiple-screens-same-content and automated journalism, Vaghela opined there was a scope for easing the regulatory framework further in phases.

Present on the occasion were Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra, Telecoms Secretary K Rajaraman, TRAI Secretary V. Raghunandan, apart from other government officials and industry representatives.

MIB’s Chandra, in his address, underlined the opening up of new paradigms and avenues in various sectors with the technological developments in broadcasting.

He further dwelt on the policy issues and challenges raised by such new developments and traced the need to update the legal and regulatory regime in the light of the same.

Department of Telecom’s Rajaraman highlighted the role of the broadcasting sector during the pandemic and emphasized that with the technological developments, affordability of the broadcasting services and inclusion can be further improved upon.

Meenakshi Gupta, Member, TRAI, while delivering her keynote address presented a snapshot of the trends in the media and entertainment sector.

She highlighted the alterations in the dynamics of the sector being witnessed in the light of emergence of digital media and did mention that data suggested linear TV was on the decline in the last two years, though there was enough scope for growth.

The deliberations in the seminar were divided into two sessions.

The forenoon session focused on level playing field, de-regulating linear broadcasting, enabling new age content players and light touch policy and regulatory framework.

The second session covered the role of broadcasting in education, radio broadcasting and issues arising due to convergence in light of recent developments in the media and entertainment sector.

The seminar was organized in the spirit of the pro-active role of TRAI to work in collaboration with the industry and other stakeholders, and ensure that the regulatory framework fosters and not hinders new technological developments and their adoption.