Clearly unhappy with BlackBerry for not allowing the government with a solution allowing the interception of its corporate mail services, the government has warned that telecom operators will have to stop services that cannot be monitored to the satisfaction of law enforcement agencies.
It’s noteworthy that BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion (RIM) has said it cannot provide access to its popular BlackBerry Enterprise Service (BES).
The government’s desire for access to the corporate mail services is driven by concern for the country’s security.
Union home secretary Gopal Pillai who told agencies on Sunday: “It is between the licensee (operators) to tell RIM that look if you can’t do this, you can’t use my network. It is as simple as that. He added, “I have only to deal with the licensee. I do not have any agreement (with RIM).”
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Independent media panel soon: Soni
AGE CORRESPONDENT
CHANDIGARH
Feb. 13: Stressing that in-house or self-regulation was the only way to maintain media credibility while preserving the freedom of the press, information & broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said an independent national regulatory council could become a reality very soon. In Chandigarh for a series of local events, Ms Soni said the proposed council was likely to be chaired by a retired high court chief justice or a former judge of the Supreme Court and would include at least 12 other members drawn from amongst television broadcasters, senior civil society representatives and a member from the National Commission for Women, the Nation Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes and a representative of the affected party or person.
The minister felt the self regulatory council was “the most intelligent and independent method of regulation while maintaining the freedom of press.”
Addressing journalists in the city Ms Soni said is her personal endeavour to have recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board implemented at the earliest possible. She said both the recommendations as well as the anomalies must be taken care of to ensure maximum benefit to working journalists in India. Addressing another issue the minister said “paid news” during elections had become a matter of increasing concern since it could impact the credibility of reports filed by honest reporters.
“The Government has constituted a group of ministers committee under Mr. Pranab Mukherjee to take a holistic view of the problem,” Ms Soni said.