I&B ministry to amend rule on employing foreigners in Indian media
The Union information and broadcasting ministry (i&b) is considering amending rules pertaining to employment of foreigners and non-resident Indians (nris) in newspapers and other current affairs publications.
These publications will have to intimate details of foreigners/nris they propose to employ. But they can employ foreigners or nri while the process of clearance is underway. This modifies an earlier clause that stated: "All entities shall obtain prior clearance of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of any foreigners/nris proposed to be employed/engaged.'
An i&b official said: "Newspapers had asked for the amendment.Even now, an entity will have to dispense with services of foreigners/nris if they aren't cleared by the ministry.' Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta said, "The amendment might have come at the behest of a newspaper group. But the Indian media has sufficient maturity to have foreign editors.'