MIB allows channels to modulate public service content, share between broadcasters

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has delineated the procedure for public service broadcasting by the private satellite channels.

As per Para 35 of the Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022, a broadcaster having permission for uplinking a channel and its downlinking in India is required to undertake public service broadcasting for a minimum period of 30 minutes a day on themes of national and social importance. This has been mandated since airwaves/ frequencies are public property and need to be used in the best interest of te society.

However, foreign TV channels only downlinked in India are exempted from following this mandate.

After undertaking a series of consultations with the broadcasters and their Associations, MIB has now further refined these guidelines. TV channels are required to report public service broadcasting in the manner prescribed as per these guidelines with effect from March 1, 2023.

Content

In an advisory issued, the Ministry has stated that the list of themes of national importance and of social relevance given under Clause 35 of the Policy Guidelines are indicative and may be expanded to include similar subjects such as water conservation, disaster management, etc.

Broadcasters can modulate their content and the relevant content embedded in the programmes may be accounted for public service broadcasting.

The Ministry has further stated that such content can be shared between the broadcasters and could be repeat telecast on one or several channels.

A common e-platform can also be developed as a repository of relevant videos or textual content from various sources for the purpose of public service broadcasting, which may be assessed and used by TV channels.

Accounting of timing

The Advisory further states that the public service content need not be of 30 minutes at a stretch, but can be spread over smaller time slots. However, the time for which the public service broadcasting content is telecast in between commercial breaks shall not be accounted for the 12-minute limit for commercial breaks.

The time for public service content shall be account cumulatively on a monthly basis, that is, 15 hours per month.

The Minister further stated that the time for transmission of the relevant content shall be flexible except that any content transmitted from midnight to 6 am shall not be accounted for under public service broadcasting.