NBF ready to liaise with industry, opens doors for new members

The newly-formed News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), comprising more than 45 founder channels, is now ready to liaise with industry and statutory bodies in the news broadcasting industry. The group of channels is likely to grow further as more broadcasters are mulling over joining the NBF. 

The NBF is welcoming new members and looks forward to interacting with relevant industry and regulatory bodies. The NBF secretariat has informed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about the formation of the body. Further announcements on the governing board and membership will be made soon. 

As reported earlier, the largest ever federation of news channels has been formed with the announcement of the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF). The NBF brings together more than 50 news channels on one platform, representing broadcasters from all languages and parts of the country. In doing so, the NBF emerges as the first news federation in India that is not centred out of New Delhi, reflecting the true diversity of news broadcasting in the country. 

Also read: More than 50 founder channels join to form News Broadcasters Federation 

Applauding the formation of the biggest ever group of TV News channels, the Government of India has said that it is delighted that more than 50 news channels have already come together to form the NBF. In his statement welcoming the formation of this diverse news association, Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, had said, “I am very happy today that more than 50 news channels have come together to form the News Broadcasters Federation. These members of the NBF are from various regions and broadcasting in various states of India. India has more than 700 channels and if more associations are formed in genres like news, then it is a very positive development. We don’t believe in censorship but believe in self-regulation. I am very sure and confident that the News Broadcasters Federation will be a platform to discuss matters relevant to the TV News Industry. I also hope that NBF gives its recommendations and ensures a discipline in broadcasting where truth does not become s casualty. I wish the NBF all the very best.” 

The NBF hasn’t been without some teething troubles as some leading news media have expressed their doubts over the effectiveness of NBF. They have pointed out that barring Republic TV and Republic Bharat, there are no national news broadcasters who form part of NBF. Almost all the members are regional players. 

A senior news broadcaster, had said, “The NBF has at least 10 news channels which are illegal as in they do not have a licence, but have entered into structures with other companies to lease channel licences, which is illegal.” 

Also read: Now, doubts being raised over efficacy of newly-formed News Broadcasters Federation 

NBF countered the doubts raised by stating that the existing body, News Broadcasters Association, has become jittery and concerned after the formation of NBF, and that it was a “big blow to the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA)”. 

Some NBF members stressed that, “The NBF will provide a larger platform for regional and independent news broadcasters and bring together all regional news networks under one roof.” 

Also read: NBF counters doubts raised over its efficacy, says NBA has become jittery 

Among the founder members of the NBF are the following: Republic Media Network (Republic TV and Republic Bharat), Puthiyathalaimurai (Tamil Nadu) V6 News (AP & Telangana), Orissa TV (Orissa), IBC24 (MP and Chattisgarh), Asianet News Network (Asianet News and Suvarna News, Kerala and Karnataka), TV9 Bharatvarsh, Newslive and Northeast Live (Assam and Northeast), First India News (Rajasthan), Kolkata TV (West Bengal), Kerala Vision (Kerala), CVR News (AP&Telangana), Polimer News (Tamil Nadu), Khabar Fast (Haryana), Living India News (Punjab), Prag News (Assam), NTV (Hyderabad), Batukamma TV and SDTV News (Telangana), Maha News (Hyderabad), TV5 News (Hyderabad), MKTV (Tamil Nadu), Sri Sankara TV (Karnataka) Vanitha TV (Hyderabad), DNN and IND24 (MP), Shri Sankara TV (Karnataka), A1 TV (Jaipur), Power TV (Karnataka), Maha News (AP), Raj News (Tamil Nadu), Flowers TV (Kerala), CVR News Network (AP&Telangana), Vanitha TV News (AP &Telangana), National Voice (Uttar Pradesh), Nirman News (Gujarat), Anaadi TV (MP&Chattisgarh), VRL Media (Karnataka), Calcutta News (West Bengal). 

This is the first time in the history of Indian broadcasting that a group of regional and national broadcasters have come together to form a body that represents their combined interests and perspective on matters related to the news broadcasting industry.