Govt's digital channel to tell 'India story', Rs 75 cr investment planned

Govt's digital channel to tell 'India story', Rs 75 cr investment planned

MUMBAI: The Modi government is reportedly planning to launch a digital platform which will report on international news to a global digital audience with an India perspective. It will “challenge the anti-India narrative" and present “India's perspective on global events."

The concept, approved by the Prasar Bharati Board, was discussed by a committee that included Prasar Bharati board members Sunil Alagh and Shashi Shekar Vempati, and Prasar Bharati interim CEO Rajeev Singh.

The 24x7 operational digital platform, with an investment of Rs 75 crore, will have correspondents across the globe. Targeted at English-speaking audience, the Indian diaspora and the global opinion makers, the channel will change the narrative that presents India as a “constant point of conflict between Hindu nationalists and so-called secularism.”

If the information and broadcasting ministry agrees to a proposal by Prasar Bharti, the country will soon have a digital channel to tell the “India story”.

Prasar Bharati chairman A Surya Prakash said that the idea was discussed by the United Progressive Alliance government.

The objective of this digital channel over the next three years will be to reach 10 million to 100 million page views a month, a million mobile app downloads and YouTube subscribers each.