Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said any theme which was of national importance and social relevance would qualify for the “Obligation for Public Service Broadcasting” under the new guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India.
Under the new guidelines, the private channels – except for the foreign channels and where it may not be feasible — are required to broadcast contents on issues of national importance and social relevance for at least 30 minutes every day.
In a written reply to the question from Rajya Sabha Member Jawahar Sircar, the Minister said the obligation of public service broadcasting was introduced as per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommendation, with the objective to spread greater awareness on the themes of national importance and of social relevance in public interest.
“A company/LLP having permission under these guidelines for uplinking a channel and its downlinking in India (other than foreign channels only downlinked in India) may undertake public service broadcasting for a minimum period of 30 minutes in a day on themes of national importance and of social relevance…,” said the reply.
Later, Mr. Thakur said the new guidelines would bring in ease-of-doing business and ease of compliance. He said that it was not the auction but allocation of airways. With regards to the condition of a minimum 30-minute broadcasting in a day on themes of national importance and social relevance, the Minister said the decision was taken in public interest.