The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) in India recently issued new guidelines and rules for uplinking and downloading. This comes after an earlier advisory from the I&B Ministry that stated all broadcasting should be done through Prasar Bharti.
New Provisions Outline
One of the major changes in the new provisions relates to the content that television channels are required to broadcast. Channels are now obligated to telecast content that aligns with the national interest or is of public service. There should be at least 30 minutes of such content aired each day. However, sports, wildlife, and foreign channels have been exempted from this obligation.
The content must revolve around themes of national importance. These themes include education and literacy, agriculture and rural development, health and family welfare, science and technology, women’s welfare, the welfare of weaker sections of society, environmental protection, protection of cultural heritage, and national integration.
Telecasting Live Events
The updated guidelines also remove the requirement for obtaining permission for the live telecast of events. Instead, the event will only need to be registered before being broadcasted live.
Similarly, there is no longer a requirement for obtaining permission for changing language or converting the transmission mode from standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD), or vice versa – all that is necessary is to give prior intimation.
Indian Teleports Boost Foreign Channels
Indian teleports are now permitted to uplink foreign channels, as long as they are registered companies or Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). This move is expected to create job opportunities and potentially position India as a teleport hub for other countries.
Simplification and Rationalization
The structure of the guidelines has also seen significant modifications to avoid duplication and establish common parameters. The penalty clauses have been rationalized, proposing separate penalties for various types of contraventions. This is a notable change from the uniform penalty that was imposed in the past.
These new guidelines and rules will potentially impact the broadcasting landscape of India, influencing how content is created, distributed, and consumed. The intent behind these changes is to promote content that resonates with national interests and public services, thereby enriching the overall viewing experience for audiences.
