Information Technology, Computers & Telecom (ICT) for Media
I. Introduction
It is necessary to
amplify/ clarify the subject of discussion. Many participants possibly
got letters stating the subject to be ICT. Our discussions will center
around " ICT for Media in India". We regret the inconvenience due to mix
up of the subject.
A colleague feels that
media is a means of communicating the news, the views, the art & culture,
entertainment etc. (the content) from it's source/ creator to the seeker/user.
This definition is perhaps is too wide for our discussion in the limited time
available for the Apex Forum. We will restrict our discussions to what is popularly
understood to be print & electronic media. Many participants have suggested that
the demarcation lines between different forms of media are fast loosing their meaning
and media would soon become seamless whole. It is agreed that an encyclopedia or CD-ROM
or a technical journal transmitted over the net & downloaded at the other end on paper
would defy categorization into print or electronic media. These are valid arguments,
but the aim of compartmentalization is merely to channaelize the discussion and not to
inhibit the flow of ideas. The aim of this " round table" is to deliberate over the changes
that have taken place in the media in the recent years with a view to project the future
of media in coming years. Eventually the house must determine the role of ICT that would
enable the media to reach its desired future goals. Are there any obstructions in the path
and is it necessary to redefine our targets? Ultimate task is to work out a set of recommendations,
which can be worked upon.
II. Print Media
Newspapers, journals, books
etc may be accepted to constitute print media for the purpose of present discussions.
These have undergone revolutionary change in recent years. Gone are the days when
knowledge was manually gathered, laboriously handwritten/typed, physically composed
and printed. Voluminous data so generated presented problems of storage for future
reference. Environmentalists have been protesting against denuding the forest cover
to produce paper. The change to printing the contents at remote locations viz. FAX,
Satellite links or Internet are phenomenal. Future could bring paperless print media
or the use of electronic paper. ICT has played a key role in bringing major changes
in pre press, press and post press operations of print media. Generally speaking the
following areas need attention: -
- Telecom infrastructure in the country has certainly under gone substantial
improvements. However there is little doubt about the need for further improvements.
Media must get telecom facilities of international standards at affordable rates.
Privatization and corporatisation could have offered some solutions, but both
these have come too late and at a pace, which could be quickened. The role of the
regulator calls for serious discussions.
- Many technically available facilities are denied to media for bureaucratic
reasons e.g. use of voice over VSAT or Internet telephony. There is a need to ponder
over ways and means to expeditiously pass on the benefits of technological advancements
to the users without adding unnecessary administrative/ avoidable cost. Actually
innovations should be commercially supported in the initial phase rather
than being heavily taxed.
- Piracy has continued to be a major irritant and defied a solution. It only
has moral dimensions but could lead to stunting the growth technological development.
At the same time the sellers must learn from Indian experiment with exorbitant tax rates.
Will a balanced approach to pricing coupled with strict policing help?
- Availability of bandwidth has been an obstacle in recent years. There is
nevertheless a need to ensure that the pendulum is not swung too much to the other
side which would add unnecessary cost.
- Past experience indicates that the quality of the " Contents" suffered at
the many websites. Is there a need to create / build up safeguards to ensure quality?
- The media must be accountable for the contents put out on the web or circulated
otherwise. Is there need for an Institutional monitoring.
IIIElectronic Media
Definition of electronic media is as difficult as the print media, but broadly
discussions could center around TV, radio and cable/ DTH. The change has been from
a handful of amplitude modulated radio stations two decades ago to coverage of
major part of our country by colour television stations, TV through satellite
and finally the cable/ DTH. FM radio stations have given a new lease of
life to radio. Convergence if the mantra of future. Govt. of India is on the
point of introducing a bill on the subject, which will convert Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (TRAI) into a Super Regulator. The following areas could be
considered as a guide for discussions.
- Electronic media has tremendous potential for distance education.
Critics feel that the projections made to the government for the need to expand
the coverage for distance learning has never been fulfilled. Only a meager portion
of resources is used for education and those too in an unimaginable way. What
needs to be done to exploit the full potential of this powerful media for educating
the masses specially in rural and remote areas?
- Convergence is a technical achievement. Is it enough to create a super
regulator? What else should be done and how?
- Free market controlled economy calls for allocation of resources based on demand.
Many argue that the country doesn't need such a large number of channels. There
is a growing feeling that a developing country like India should evaluate &
guide/ channelize resources into socially growth-oriented projects. Is there a need to
re-evaluate our priorities?
- Technology has thrown up many new innovations like DTH. Rapidly changing
scene will lead to many newer facilities/ services becoming available. Is there
a need to examine the details to determine technologies suitable for our needs?
Do professional bodies like IETE have a role in this field?
- There have been attempts to monopolize the area by the cable operator.
Is competition needed and how can this be achieved?
- While the technology of transmission has progressed exponentially,
the growth in techniques of content generation and the producers mindset
have, perhaps not kept pace with the hardware growth.
IVConclusion
The canvass is wide but the time for discussions is limited.
There is a wealth of knowledge among the invitees to the Apex Forum and the country
must benefit from it. The utility of this platform will be lost if we do not collate
the expertise available among the participants into cohesive and pragmatic recommendations:
recommendations that can be worked upon by different agencies.
Gp Capt H Kaushal, VSM (Retd)
Chairman, Coordination Committee