News Broadcasting
News Broadcasting Standards Authority issues advisory on coverage of Ayodhya dispute verdict
MUMBAI: While the Supreme Court ended the daily hearings of the Ayodhya dispute case on Wednesday, the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) has issued a special advisory for reporting of the sensitive issue. News broadcasters have been advised to conform strictly to subserving the public interest of maintaining communal harmony and preservation of the secular ethos of the country while telecasting news related to the matter.
“You will appreciate that the reporting of the Ayodhya issue being heard by the Hon’ble Supreme Court is one such matter in which extra care and caution needs to be exercised to ensure that the telecast of any news relating to it should not be sensational, inflammatory or provocative,” the organisation said in the advisory.
The advisory also added that in view of the sensitive nature of the Ayodhya issue, reporting requires adherence to the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards and certain specific guidelines issued from time to time in this regard.
“It is, therefore, necessary that all news broadcasters should not only ensure strict compliance of the guidelines but should also ensure that no occasion arises for any speculation about the accuracy, neutrality and impartiality of the content,” it added.
Additional specific guidelines:
1. No broadcast should be made in any speculative manner in respect of the present proceedings before the Hon’ble Supreme Court nor of the judgement before it is pronounced; and of its likely consequence thereafter which may be sensational, inflammatory or provocative.
2. No news in relation to the present proceedings pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court shall be broadcast unless the reporter and/or editor have adequately ascertained the accuracy, authenticity and correctness of what is reported, preferably from Court records, or at the very least, by being personally present during such proceedings.
3. For clarity and adherence it is emphasized that programmes/telecast should not speculate on issues relating to the Ayodhya judgement or its repercussions.
4. No footage of the demolition of the Babri Masjid is to be shown in any news item relating to the Ayodhya matter.
5. No visuals need be shown depicting celebration or protest by persons in respect of the Ayodhya matter.
6. In view of the sensitivity of news reporting on this issue, extra care should be taken to ensure accuracy by vetting and clearance at the highest editorial level.
7. Telecast of any news/programme must not give any impression of bias or prejudice in favour of, or against any community.
8. Care should be taken to ensure that no opportunity is given to anyone to express any extreme view, including in debates in order to influence the viewers.
9. Debates which are provocative and inflammatory and likely to create tension in the public should be avoided.
News Broadcasting
MIB: Doordarshan clocks 372 crore viewers; Prasar Bharati nets Rs 14,421 crore
Funds channelled into salaries and BIND-led upgrades, Ministry told
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati received Rs 14,421 crore in budgetary support between 2020–21 and 2024–25, the ministry of information and broadcasting told Parliament, underlining the government’s continued backing of India’s public service broadcaster.
The funds were deployed primarily towards staff salaries and infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme. With an outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore for 2021–26, BIND is aimed at modernising studios, transmission networks and digital systems across Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Over the same period, Doordarshan recorded a cumulative gross unique viewership of 372.8 crore between 2021 and January 2026, according to estimates by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). Officials stressed that the figure reflects overall reach rather than sustained engagement levels.
Responding to a query from DMK MP T R Baalu, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Prasar Bharati’s audience base had not seen a sharp decline despite intensifying competition from private television and radio networks.
Murugan told Parliament that Prasar Bharati follows a “nation first” mandate, prioritising public service over ratings or commercial returns. Doordarshan and Akashvani, he said, are required to serve remote, rural, tribal and left-wing extremism–affected regions that are often unwelcoming to private broadcasters.
