Section 4
Section 4
(1)
The Minister may, after consultation with any licensee, give to him such written directions as he thinks fit as to the exercise by that licensee of his functions under this Act.
(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), if it appears to theMinisterto be requisiteor expedientto do so-
(a)
during a state of emergency, in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence or relations with the
Government of another country; or
(b)
in order -
(i)
to discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding on the Government in view of its being a member of an international organisation or a party to a treaty;
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(ii)
to attain or facilitate the attainment of any other object the attainment of which is in the opinion of the
Minister requisite or expedient in view of the
Government being a member of such an organisation or a party to a treaty; or
(iii)
to enable the Government to become a member of such an organisation or a party to a treaty, the Minister may, after consultation with any licensee, give such written directions to him as are necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(3)
Any directions given under subsections (1) or (2) may include provisionfor -
(a)
the prohibition or regulation of any broadcasting service;
(b)
the taking of, the control of, or the use for official purposes of, all or any system and equipment used in the provision of any broadcasting service; and
(c)
the stopping, delaying and censoring of messages and the carrying out of any other purposes which the Minister thinks necessary.
(4)
A licensee shall give immediate effect to any directions given to him under subsections (1) or (2), notwithstanding any other duty imposed on him by or under this Act.
(5)
A licensee shall not disclose any directions given to him under subsections (1) or (2) if the Minister notifies him in writing that he is ofthe opinion that the disclosure of the directions would be against the public interest.
(6)
The Government may -
(a)
pay compensation for any damage caused to a licensee by reason of his compliance with the directions of the Minister under paragraph (b) of subsection (3); or
(b)
make grants to a licensee for defraying or contributing towards any losses which he has sustained by reason of his compliance with the directions of the Minister under any other provision of this section.
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(7)
If any doubt arises whether any act done under this section was in the public interest or in the interests of public security,national defence or relations with the Government of another country, a certificate signed by the
Minister shall be conclusive evidence of the matters stated therein.
Director of Broadcasting.