Parliamentary Standing Committee to review implementation of media laws today
New Delhi: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology will review the implementation of media-related laws in its meeting on Friday. Various issues concerning the media industry are expected to be discussed.
The committee, led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, is likely to deliberate on topics such as the spread of fake news, the rise of paid news, and the airing of provocative content by certain television channels. The discussion will also cover the challenges faced by traditional print media in the digital era and the declining readership trend.
Concerns over excessive focus on crime and celebrity news will also be raised. The committee is expected to address the issue of some channels prioritising TRP-driven sensational content over significant and serious news.
Sources indicate that the meeting will examine how provocative media narratives impact public opinion and legal aspects. The deteriorating quality of TV debates, which often turn into shouting matches and platforms for political mudslinging, is also likely to be discussed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
