Latest news with #LMurugan
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Piracy menace continues to torment Indian cinema
Ever since the advent of video recorders over five decades ago, piracy of Indian films, which began with hotly circulated video cassettes, has grown by leaps and bounds. Keeping pace with technology, this worrisome trend for the badshahs of the country's movie industry has morphed and re-engineered itself to eat away a significant portion of the box-office revenues of the handful of hit films over the years. As cyberspace expanded, dedicated websites that specialise in enabling downloading and streaming new movies within hours (at times, even before it formally finds its way into theatres) of its universal release have sprouted uncontrollably. While concerned industry watchers lament about how it ends up as a free source of earnings for shady operators across the globe, the other side has rejoiced at the prospect of watching new releases without having to go through the arduous process of booking tickets, online and offline and spending a fortune additionally in movie halls on snacks and refreshments to enjoy their favourite fare. Once again, the government has moved in after entertainment industry representatives and research outfits of the transnational kind sounding the warning bell, urging them to take up stricter measures to control this menace. As a PTI report said: In a bid to curb digital piracy, the government has amended laws to include jail term and strict fines of up to five per cent of the production cost for those involved in illegal recording and transmission of films. The government brought in these changes to the Cinematograph Act two years ago to strengthen the provisions against film piracy announced Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan in Parliament last week. He said Section 6AA and 6AB of the Cinematograph Act prohibit unauthorised recording and transmission of films. 'Newly added Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act empowers the Government to issue necessary directions to intermediaries for hosting pirated content,' Murugan said. According to The Rob Report by EY and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the Indian entertainment industry faced a loss of Rs 22,400 crore in 2023, primarily due to piracy. The film industry has changed drastically, notably in the new millennium with the explosion of multiplexes and introduction of a customised system of doing business, wherein the exhibitor and producer manage to make money on a pre-arranged sharing formula. This has also meant screening of films across multiple screens, protected with cyber security measures, yet seeing them pirated and plundered by a dedicated set of digital wolves who specialise in spoiling their success parties. Rumours abound that those into this privacy racket have the backing of industry insiders, while a vicious, dog-eat-dog environment exists in the film world. It is not uncommon to hear whispers about how one powerful camp secretly enables these celluloid thieves to pirate ambitious productions of the other camp just to show them their place and keep alive the rivalry; all is fair in love and war. One should say, despite self-righteous protests by film associations and movie moguls, such mercenary, undercutting tactics will continue to be in vogue, with the government throwing the rule book at them and precious little thereafter.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Up to three years jail term for those involved in film piracy: Government
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) In a bid to curb digital piracy, the government has amended laws to include jail term and strict fines of up to five per cent of the production cost for those involved in illegal recording and transmission of films. The gove rnment brought in these changes to the Cinematograph Act two years ago to strengthen the provisions against film piracy. 'The amendments include strict punishment of a minimum three months imprisonment and fine of Rs three lakh, which can be extended up to three years imprisonment and fine up to five per cent of the audited gross production cost," Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan told Parliament last week. He said Section 6AA and 6AB of the Cinematograph Act prohibit unauthorised recording and transmission of films. 'Newly added Section 7(1B)(ii) of the Cinematograph Act empowers the Government to issue necessary directions to intermediaries for hosting pirated content," Murugan said. He said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification have been empowered to receive complaints from copyright holders or authorised persons, and issue necessary directions to intermediaries hosting such content. According to The Rob Report by EY and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the Indian entertainment industry faced a loss of Rs 22,400 crore in 2023, primarily due to piracy. PTI SKU RT RT RT view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 17:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Government takes measures to enhance representation of south Indian language channels on DD Free Dish
NEW DELHI: With the viewership of Prasar Bharti's Direct-To-Home (DTH) service—Doordarshan (DD) Free Dish growing manifolds every year, the government has been taking various proactive measures to increase the representation of south Indian language channels on the platform. For better regional representation, slots were reserved for south Indian language channels in the e-auctions of DD Free Dish earlier this year. Eligibility norms have also been simplified to ensure greater participation from private broadcasters in the southern region. The DTH service has seen consistent growth in its reach over the past few years and as per industry estimates of 2024; it reaches approximately 49 million households. It was 33 million in 2018, signifying the positive audience growth. While responding to questions on measures taken by the Government to encourage south Indian language channels to secure slots on DD Free Dish and the results achieved, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, on Wednesday, informed Lok Sabha that DD's regional channels such as DD Tamil, DD Saptagiri, DD Chandana, DD Yadagiri, and DD Malayalam have also been onboarded and they are being technologically upgraded and better promoted to enhance their visibility.
News18
23-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Publications, TV channels increased in past decade: Union minister Murugan
Agency: New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The number of publications registered with the Press Registrar General of India has increased from 1.05 lakh in 2014-15 to 1.55 lakh in 2024-25, Union Minister L Murugan said on Wednesday. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Murugan said India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem, which has witnessed growth in recent years. He said the number of private satellite TV Channels have also increased from 821 in 2014-15 to 908 in 2024-25. 'As of today, 92 private channels and 50 Doordarshan Channels are available on DD Free Dish. Both private and DD channels operate in various regional languages, ensuring wider audience reach across the country," Murugan said. In reply to a separate question, Murugan said the government has undertaken measures for the modernisation and expansion of Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras (DDK) across all the states. The Kendras are being upgraded under the Central Sector Scheme, Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND). This includes major upgrades throughout the country, including Bihar, to strengthen public broadcasting, he said. 'The scheme has been approved with a total outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore for the period 2021-26," the minister said. PTI SKU NB First Published: July 23, 2025, 21:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
DMK govt is deceiving Malayali tribe people: Murugan
L Murugan ERODE: The DMK govt is deceiving the Malayali tribe people in Bargur and Kadambur hills in Erode district by not passing a resolution in the Tamil Nadu assembly for getting them recognized under the scheduled tribe category, Union minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L Murugan said on Tuesday. Murugan was speaking at a meeting with BJP functionaries and residents of the Kadambur hills. "It is a long-standing demand of the 30,000 Malayali people residing in Bargur and Kadambur hills that they be recognized under the scheduled category," Murugan said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai He clarified that their demand could not solely be addressed by the central govt. "The state govt must pass a resolution in the assembly and forward it to the Centre. Only then can the central govt legally include the Malayali people on the scheduled tribe list,' he said. "The DMK govt has failed to do this. It was merely sending letters from the department secretary in 1999, 2002 and 2022," he said. As a result, the Malayali community was unable to gain inclusion in the scheduled tribe, which adversely impacted their livelihoods, education, advancement and employment opportunities, he said. The central govt has included the Narikuravar community in the scheduled caste. 'This demand was not initiated by the people themselves. Rather, the Prime Minister took this step to enhance their living conditions,' he added.
