New Delhi, 3rd October 2022: In the year 2022, when the country is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also completed 25 years of its existence. In continuation of its Silver Jubilee celebrations, at the esteemed platform provided by India Mobile Congress, TRAI organized a seminar on “Emerging Trends in Broadcast Sector”. The seminar was organized in the backdrop of recent technological developments and their impact in the region.
The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. PD Vaghela, Chairman, TRAI in an inaugural session. The inaugural session was graced by the honorable presence of Shri T Mano Thangaraj, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretary MIB, Shri Apoorva Chandra and Secretary, DoT, Shri K Rajaraman.
Delivering his welcome address, Shri V Raghunandan, Secretary, TRAI underlined that today’s seminar was to take forward TRAI’s efforts to spur new deliberations and discussions in this area so that the necessary changes in the regulatory framework are brought to light. be recognized in. new developments in the area.
Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Shri Rajaraman highlighted the role of broadcasting sector during the pandemic. He emphasized that with technological advances, the affordability and inclusion of broadcasting services can be further improved. In addition, Mr. Apoorva Chandra, Secretary MIB, outlined the technological developments in broadcasting with the opening up of new paradigms and avenues in various sectors, for example, immersive learning in the education sector. He took forward the policy issues and challenges raised by such new developments and explored the need to update the legal and regulatory regime in the light of the same.
Ms. Meenakshi Gupta, Member, TRAI, delivering her keynote address presented a snapshot of trends in the media and entertainment sector. He highlighted the change in the dynamics of the sector being observed in the light of the emergence of digital media. In his inaugural address, the Chairman of TRAI, Dr. P.D. Vaghela put forward the background of the seminar.
He underlined the need to balance the interests of the stakeholders in the light of technological, economic and social developments. He further highlighted some of the emerging technologies in this area, such as metaverse, 5G broadcasting, multiple screen identical content, automated journalism etc. Chairman, TRAI is of the view that there is scope for further easing of the regulatory framework in phases.
The deliberations in the seminar were divided into two sessions. The forenoon session focused on equal opportunity, de-regulating linear broadcasting, enabling new age content players and a light touch policy and regulatory framework.
The second session covered the issues arising out of convergence in the light of recent developments in education, radio broadcasting and in the light of recent developments in the media and entertainment sector.
The seminar was organized in the spirit of TRAI’s proactive role to work in collaboration with industry and other stakeholders and ensure that the regulatory framework does not hinder new technological developments and their adoption. The seminar was successful in developing a foundational understanding of emerging trends and promoting discussion on their impact on the current governance, not only from the perspective of the regulatory regime but from the perspective of the stakeholders as a whole.
Source: https://www.trai.gov.in