In a move that could have significant bearing on private news channels, government's decision on the Star TV proposal for permission to uplink from Indian soil will apply to all news channels with foreign equity.
The Cabinet's decision on the Star TV's request for uplinking for its 24-hour news channel would apply to even existing news channels, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj said Monday.
News channels uplinking from India would have to adhere to the foreign equity cap stipulated by the government in case it decides on changes in the present policy on uplinking.
Swaraj said her ministry was approaching the Cabinet for "guidance" since this was the first time that such a request had been made by a 24-hour news channel, which had a registered office abroad and all the three directors were foreigners.
A similar request has also been made by the CNBC, she said adding that whatever rules are made for Star TV would apply to it and all other news channels in future.
The ministry is awaiting response from the ministries of home, defence, external affairs and finance on the Cabinet note sent to them giving four options to deal with the proposal - status quo under which Star TV could go ahead with uplinking for its news channel, a complete ban barring foreign news channels from uplinking, allow with 26 per cent cap like in the case of news in print media or with 49 per cent cap.
