No Grievances on Editorial Autonomy or Functioning of Public Broadcasters - 5th August 2026 - Ministry of Information & Broadcasting - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary This report summarizes a written reply provided by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in the Lok Sabha on August 05, 2026. It addresses the editorial autonomy of public broadcasters, the extension of the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme until March 31, 2027, and the status of grievances. The document confirms that no complaints regarding editorial functioning were received from media bodies or employees in the past year.

Key Points / Main Content

• Infrastructure and Modernization

  • The Central Sector BIND scheme is approved for the development and modernization of Prasar Bharati’s infrastructure.
  • Originally set for 2021-2026, the BIND scheme has been extended to March 31, 2027.
  • Detailed financial information, including budget allocations and revenue generation, is accessible via the Prasar Bharati website.

• Editorial Governance and Quality Control

  • The Editor-in-Chief and senior teams conduct regular reviews to ensure news accuracy, balance, and quality.
  • Content must comply with Prasar Bharati’s editorial policies and the established Programme Code.
  • Viewer feedback and complaints are systematically forwarded to editorial teams for action.
  • Social media analytics and viewership data are utilized to continuously improve news presentation.

• Grievance Redressal Status

  • No formal representations or grievances concerning editorial autonomy or functioning were received from journalists or media bodies in the last year.
  • A total of seven complaints were received specifically regarding the appointment process from applicants.

• Broadcasting Reach

  • Akashvani provides coverage to approximately 98% of the population and 90% of the country's geographical area.
  • "DD Free Dish" remains available across India without subscription charges.

Impact Analysis

Prasar Bharati (Akashvani and Doordarshan) Impact: The organization benefits from the extension of the BIND scheme for infrastructure upgrades and maintains a high level of geographical and population reach. Action Required: Must continue to update budget and expenditure data on its website and maintain its editorial review processes.

Journalists and Media Bodies Impact: These stakeholders have reported no grievances regarding editorial autonomy or functioning within the last year, indicating a period of stable operations. Action Required: May continue to use established channels to file formal representations if concerns regarding autonomy or appointments arise.

General Public / Viewers Impact: Viewers have access to free broadcasting services (DD Free Dish) and can influence content quality through feedback mechanisms. Action Required: Can provide feedback or complaints related to editorial content to be processed by the relevant editorial teams.