Airing of public service content could be voluntary for channels
The MIB last month issued an order making it compulsory
Giving big relief to broadcasters, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has reportedly indicated that it may make the decision to air 30-minute channels public service content on TV voluntary for channels.
According to a media report, the assurance was given to broadcasters during a meeting on Friday between representatives of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and ministry officials.
The ministry had last month issued an order making the airing of public service content mandatory for channels. The direction was part of the revised uplinking and downlinking guidelines issued by the MIB.
Expressing its reservation against the order, the IBDF last week wrote a letter to the government asking it to either delete the stipulation or provide subsidies and tax incentives to those broadcasters who voluntarily air public service content.
The IBDF includes top television networks, such as Disney-Star, Sony, Zee, and Viacom18.
