I&B Ministry to play the Facilitator’s role for the M&E Sector – Venkaiah Naidu

M. Venkaiah Naidu releasing a publication, at the 5th Edition of CII Big Picture Summit 2016, on the theme “Embracing Disruption to Stay Competitive”, in New Delhi

New Delhi

Minister of Information and Broadcasting, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that digital and mobile tools have been leading to paradigm shifts in the M&E sector. The growth of varied platforms such as 4G, broadband, mobile technologies, digital media has enabled the M&E sector to move towards “Convergence across platforms and content”. 

The Government of India's “Make in India”, "Skill India" and “Digital India” campaigns were clearly positive signals of the new transformation including GST which is expected to be a game changer for the M&E sector. Naidu stated this while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural function of the 5th Edition of CII Big Picture Summit at New Delhi . The theme of this year’s Summit is 'Embracing Disruption to Stay Competitive'.

Regarding opportunities in the skill sector for the M&E industry, Naidu said that the Government is fully aware of the acute shortage of professionals across different segments. He mentioned that he would like the industry to give its recommendations on the steps to be taken to match demand and supply as well as the recommendations emerging from the discussions at the summit for the different sessions focusing on skill assessment and needs.

On the issue of growth prospects for the industry, Naidu said that as part of the national policy, the Government would work with the industry to develop infrastructure to get the right talent at the appropriate sectors. The M&E sector in India had always been a very liberal media market and a number of initiatives had been taken including opening up and liberalizing FDI in the broadcast sector.

For the initiatives in the film sector, Naidu said there is a huge opportunity to make India lead in the world as film shooting location and digital media hub for the world. Our films, actors, content, technology were expanding footprint to new and emerging global markets, and the aim of the Government was to make this transition smooth by creating an enabling regulatory environment. The Co-production agreements with other countries has ensured the projection and branding of India’s soft power.

On the issue of the theme of the Conference “'Embracing Disruption to Stay Competitive”, the Minister said that this process had substantially altered the business models across the world. The Indian M&E industry needed to outline a firm roadmap to ensure the convergence of networks, devices and content, the core elements of the digital entertainment process. 

Naidu referred to the Government’s Digital India and Smart City initiative that were going to have a major impact on increasing the penetration of Internet to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. He also referred to the potential of smartphones in facilitating a critical role for consumers’ professional and personal lives. The Government’s initiatives and private sector participation was necessary to ensure the optimal use of the potential of the digital ecosystem.