MIB issues advisory on public service broadcasting obligation

Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting has directed private broadcasters to undertake public service broadcasting for 30 minutes every day.

The ministry has clarified through the advisory that the relevant content embedded in the programmes being telecast can be accounted for public service broadcasting. It is also clarified that the content does not have to be 30 minutes long and can be spread out over smaller time slots, and that the broadcaster must submit a monthly report online via the Broadcast Seva Portal. The broadcasting theme should include content of national and social importance, such as the following, namely:

 1.   education and the spread of literacy;

 2.  agriculture and rural development;

 3.   health and family welfare;

 4.   science and technology;

 5.   welfare of women;

 6.   welfare of the weaker sections of society;

 7.   protection of the environment and of cultural heritage; and

 8.   national integration

Accordingly, it has been decided that the private satellite TV channels need to undertake public service broadcasting in the following manner:

 Content:

 1.   The list of themes of national importance and of social relevance given under clause 35 of the policy guidelines is indicative and may be expanded to include similar subjects of national importance and social relevance such as water conservation, disaster management, etc.

 2.   Broadcasters have the liberty to modulate their content. The relevant content embedded in the programmes may be accounted for as public service broadcasting. However, it should be done in such a manner that the overall objective of public service broadcasting may be achieved.

 3.   The content can be shared between the Broadcasters and could be repeated telecast on one! several TV channels.

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

Accounting of timing:

 1.   The content need not be 30 minutes long at a stretch. It could be spread over smaller time slots. The time for which the public service broadcasting content is telecast in between commercial breaks shall not be accounted for in the 12 minute limit for commercial breaks.

 2.    The time for the content under public service broadcasting shall be accounted for cumulatively on a monthly basis, i.e., 15 hours per month.

 3.   The time for transmission of the relevant content shall be flexible, except that any content transmitted from midnight to 6:00 a.m. shall not be accounted for under public service broadcasting.

Reporting:

 1.   Voluntary compliance and self-certification would be the guiding principles.

 2.   Broadcasters shall submit a monthly report on the Broadcast Seva Portal (in the format annexed in Annexure A) on or before the 7th day of the following month.

 3.   Broadcasters shall include a compliance certificate in their annual report.

 4.   Foreign channels, downlinking in India (in languages other than those specified in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution), shall be exempt from the obligation of public service broadcasting.

5.    The channels broadcast predominantly (for more than 12 hours) sports and devotionals! spiritual! Yoga content shall be exempt from furnishing the monthly reports on the Broadcast Seva Portal.

Identification :

 1.   The broadcaster shall keep the record of the content telecast for a period of 90 days. The electronic media monitoring center, under the ministry of information and broadcasting, shall keep the record of the content telecast for a period of 90 days.