One More For The Dpos

Why did broadcasters choose to challenge the copyright implication rather than addressing basic issues thrown up by the TRAI tariff order?

- Chintamani Rao

The entire Supreme Court ruling on the TRAI tariff order is summarized in one key sentence: “…the TRAI Act, being a statute conceived…to serve the interest of both broadcasters and consumers, must prevail…over the Copyright Act, which protects the property rights of broadcasters.” The rest is detail.

That line of thinking is unexceptionable. It responds to the petitioners’ argument, and states the priorities inarguably.

My argument is with the tariff order itself. I am surprised the broadcasters chose to challenge the copyright implication rather than to address its basic issues.

1. The underlying basis of the order, without which it is not implementable, is the myth that cable distribution is digital.

Physically, in terms of technology, it is. But if digitization means the consumer has a choice, it is not. If digitization means clear and transparent reporting, it is not.