‘Rank states on ease of business for media’

NEW DELHI: At a time when controversy rages over films such as Padmavati, S Durga and Nude, Niti Aayog chief executive Amitabh Kant proposed on Tuesday setting up an index to rank states on their ability to provide a conducive environment for the media and entertainment industry to grow.

The index, Kant said, could look like the Ease of Doing Business index, and should be aimed at getting states to compete with each other in offering a conducive environment for the growth of the sector. He was speaking at the CII Big Picture Summit in the national capital, with a focus on digital technologies.

Referring to India as the most liberal media market in the world, Kant said the Union government will continue to support the industry. He also said the growth spurt for the sector will come through smart phones at lower costs.

Speaking at the CII event, Prasar Bharati chief executive Shashi Shekhar Vempati said human capital, creativity, and freedom of expression have established India as the global 'Vishwa Guru'. He said that the future of media and entertainment lay in the convergence of technology and content, adding that private and public sectors needed to create the 'right technology ecosystem'.