Report No. 159

4.15. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.-

(i) Regarding Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, no further review of the Act is called for by the Department.

(ii) As regards Cinematograph Act, 1952, amendments have already been introduced in the Act and are now pending in the Rajya Sabha.

(iii) Pertaining to the Press Council Act, 1978, it is stated that the Press Council of India has suggested some amendments and the matter is under consideration and the proposals in that behalf will be sent to the Commission later.

(iv) Regarding the Prasar Bharti Act, 1990 it is stated by the Department that no further review of the Act is called for at the present juncture. Since it appears that the new Government is contemplating a review of the Act, it is felt that while enacting any amendments to the Act or contemplating a new enactment on the subject, the opinions in the specified Supreme Court judgment should be closely observed.

[Para. 3.14, supra]

We recommend accordingly.

Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy (Retd.), Chairman.

Ms. Justice Leila Seth (Retd.), Member.

Dr. N.M. Ghatate, Member.

R.L. Meena, Member-secretary.