Tag: News Broadcasters Federation

NBF seeks e-meeting with I&B minister to discuss stimulus package

MUMBAI: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has requested a video conference meeting with union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar to discuss a 'comprehensive stimulus package’ for news broadcasters' to overcome the impact of the economic and financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Said an official statement of the federation, “The NBF in its letter has sought an appointment with I&B minister for an e-meeting through video-conference, during this week as per his convenience and availability to bring to attention about the most pressing issues the industry is facing due to lockdown for combating the spread of COVID-19.”

NBF is an association representing the combined interests of 300 TV news channels. The agenda of the meeting is to discuss and resolve the extraordinary situation the members of NBF are facing due to the lockdown while discharging the service to the society, reads the statement.

The issues that would be discussed with the minister during the e-meeting are: satellite and bandwidth charges, Prasar Bharti and DD Freedish, DAVP pending payments, unrestricted availability of FTS new channels, governmental support and liquidity issues.

The NBF delegation comprises president Arnab Goswami, vice-president Jaggi Mangat Panda, vice-president Shankar Bala, vice-president Sanjivie Narain, vice-president Kartikeya Sharma, and vice-president Riniki B Sharma, among others.

April 21, 2020
News broadcasters seek government help to overcome corona crisis

MUMBAI: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), the trade organisation that represents the combined interests of the news broadcasting industry on Monday sought the immediate intervention of the central government to overcome the larger economic, social, financial and business impact arising out of the combat measures and lockdown initiatives across the country that threaten the survival of the news television channels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his televised address to the nation, on March 19, equated the news broadcasting sector in line with essential services, is a crucial acknowledgement of the important role of news broadcasters in rendering public service in such a critical situation which the nation is facing currently.

In the memorandum presented to the Prime Ministers’ Office, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and TRAI etc. the NBF has sought government intervention to combat the financial and business impact on the news broadcasting sector.

To overcome the financial impact, the federation has requested the government to relax and offer tax concessions including lowering GST rates and filing dates, postponing the deadline for TDS payments, for at least a minimum period of three months, until June 30, 2020. The federation has also asked the government to waive off the fees for news channels on DD Freedish platform for March and April 2020. The NBF has also sought extension in deadlines for compliance, since employees handling regulatory issues are currently working from home.

“The NBF strongly stands and supports the Government of India’s proactive measures to combat spread of COVID-19 virus, which has posed a health and economic threat to the country. This extraordinary situation required the government to take extraordinary measures to save the news broadcasting sector that performs a public service for free. Else, we perish,” said NBF President Arnab Goswami.

The news broadcasters are facing slowdown of business operations and severe shortfall revenue as it has curtailed the flow of advertisement which is the largest source of revenue for FTA news broadcasters. The measures have also severely impacted cash flows due to lower collections of payments since clients are also scaled down their business operations. At the same time, the operating costs on connectivity and communications have tremendously increased due to the lockdowns while ensuring the safety of employees.

March 24, 2020
News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) pushes for democratic governance, content regulation norms

The topmost executives of India’s news Industry, part of the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) recently met in Mumbai to decide on the critical issues involving content regulation and governance within the Industry. In a meeting attended by over 30 top executives representing national and regional channels, a decision has been taken to form an ‘alternative standards’ organisation called the News Broadcasters Federation Authority, aiming to bring in more transparent self-regulation on content. More than 50 news channels have come together to create a charter and a governance board for NBF.

The News industry trade body has decided to open-up memberships for TV channels and broadcasters from across India, starting November 1st, 2019. This is the first time in the history of Indian broadcasting that a group of regional and national broadcasters have come together to form a body that represents their combined interests and perspective on matters related to the news broadcasting industry.

Another key decision taken by the NBF is that its upcoming Secretariat will be based out of the National Capital – Delhi, given the proximity to the Government Ministries, concerned Departments and Industry Regulators.

The meeting and finalisation of the agenda to move forward with NBF is critical and comes at a time when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is finalising a draft of rules and regulations to hold media accountable, including the proposed framework for online content and news. Significantly, the first formal meeting of the NBF also saw support pouring in from some distribution platform operators or DPOs, who also own television news channels.

News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) was formed in July this year, bringing together 50 news channels representing broadcasters from all languages and all regions of India, making it the true representative of broadcasters across India. The NBF will be governed by a Board of Directors, and four Issues-Specific Committees to be constituted among the members. The Committee on Public Policy will address the larger issues with various stakeholders including Government of India, State Governments, Judiciary, and civil society organisations.

NBF aims to have a self-regulatory body – ‘News Broadcasters Federation Authority’, which will create new standards for news broadcasting and address any violation through a committee of editors from within the federation. The self-regulation mechanism will be led by a Chairman, and four independent eminent persons, and another four editors.

A structured Committee on Distribution will be formed in order to increase the consumption of news and expand the viewership of member companies both within India and outside. A Committee on Finance will also be formed to help member companies to strengthen liquidity through technology-driven solutions. NBF will also explore setting up other committees as and when the need arises.

November 4, 2019
Regional & national news broadcasters form News Broadcasters Federation

MUMBAI: News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), a new association of more than 50 news channels representing broadcasters from all languages and parts of the country will form the largest-ever federation of news channels.

Both national and regional news broadcasters have come together with an aim to contribute their combined interests and perspectives on matters related to the news broadcasting industry.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar, said, “I am very happy today that more than 50 news channels have come together to form the News Broadcasters Federation. These members of the NBF are from various regions and broadcasting in various states of India. India has more than 700 channels and if more associations are formed in genres like news, then it is a very positive development. We don’t believe in censorship but believe in self-regulation. I am very sure and confident that the News Broadcasters Federation will be a platform to discuss matters relevant to the TV News Industry. I also hope NBF gives its recommendations and ensures discipline in broadcasting where truth does not become a casualty. I wish the NBF all the very best.”

Among the founder members of the NBF are: Republic Media Network (Republic TV and Republic Bharat), Puthiyathalaimurai and V6 News (Tamil Nadu), Orissa TV (Orissa), IBC24 (MP and Chattisgarh), Asianet News Network (Asianet News and Suvarna News, Kerala and Karnataka), TV9 Bharatvarsh, Newslive and Northeast Live (Assam and Northeast), First India News (Rajasthan), Kolkata TV (West Bengal), CVR News (AP & Telangana), Polimer News (Tamil Nadu), Khabar Fast (Haryana), Living India News (Punjab), Prag News (Assam), NTV (AP & Telangana), Maha News (AP & Telangana), TV5 News (AP & Telangana), MKTV (Tamil Nadu), Vanitha TV (AP & Telangana), DNN and IND24 (MP), Shri Sankara TV & Ayush TV (Karnataka), A1 TV (Jaipur), Power TV (Karnataka),Raj News (Tamil Nadu), Flowers TV (Kerala), CVR News Network (AP&Telangana), National Voice (Uttar Pradesh), Nirman News (Gujarat), Anaadi TV (MP&Chattisgarh), VRL Media (Karnataka), Calcutta News (West Bengal),News 7 (Tamil Nadu), DNN & News World ( MP & Chattisgarh), M H One ( Haryana), Mantavya News (Gujarat), Gujarat Television ( Gujarat), S News ( West Bengal) Bansal TV ( MP) and Onkat TV (West Bengal).

“This is the first time in the history of Indian broadcasting that a group of regional and national broadcasters have come together to form a body that represents their combined interests and perspective on matters related to the news broadcasting industry. The NBF is welcoming new members and looks forward to interacting with relevant industry and regulatory bodies. The NBF secretariat has informed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting about the formation of the body. Further announcements on the governing board and membership will be made soon,” said the NBF statement.

July 26, 2019