By IANS,
New Delhi : Media professionals, industry specialists and stakeholders Thursday came together for a day-long discussion on the challenges faced by the media.
The Media, Advertising and Entertainment Legal Summit (MAELS) was conceptualized by Lex Witness – a magazine of legal and corporate affairs.
Also present at the convention was union Minister of Law and Justice Salman Khurshid, who said: “There is a dire need for a sound understanding of the legal dimensions of the media, since it is the fourth estate of a democratic republic.”
Speaking on the amendment to the Copyright Act of 1957 which includes the media, advertising and entertainment fraternity, P.B.A. Srinivasan, Editor-in-Chief, Lex Witnesss said: “The changes in the Copyright law have been made to bring the home laws at par with international treaties.”
“As the self-regulation and regulatory bodies play an important role in the media and broadcasting business, discussion over the present bottlenecks and suggestions for reform were needed,” Srinivasan said.
Adding to the dialogue was the latest development of increased Foreign Direct Investment in the broadcasting sector, from 49 percent to 74 percent, which received much criticism at the gathering.
Shyam Grover, Group Editor and CEO, Lex Witness, said MAELS was an attempt to do an in-depth analysis of the changes that could be expected in the media and entertainment industry because of recent policy changes.