No editorial bias grievances against Prasar Bharati: MIB

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has told Parliament that it received no grievances or formal representations from journalists, employees or media bodies regarding the autonomy, appointments or editorial functioning of public broadcasters over the last one year, even as it said editorial decisions at Prasar Bharati are subject to regular internal review to ensure compliance with its editorial policies and the Programme Code.

Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan said the Centre has extended the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme until March 31, 2027, continuing its push to modernize and upgrade Prasar Bharati's broadcasting infrastructure across the country.

The parliamentary query, raised by MPs Adv. Priya Saroj and Pushpendra Saroj, sought details on government funding for public broadcasters, complaints relating to editorial independence, grievances over autonomy, performance evaluations and reforms undertaken to strengthen editorial independence and institutional autonomy.

In its response, the Ministry said the BIND scheme, originally approved for the 2021-26 period as a Central Sector Scheme, has now been extended by another year. According to the government, details relating to budget allocations, actual expenditure and revenue generation of Prasar Bharati are available on the broadcaster's official website. The reply, however, did not provide year-wise financial figures in Parliament itself.

On the issue of editorial independence, the Ministry said editorial matters are reviewed on a regular basis by the Editor-in-Chief and senior editorial teams. Whenever necessary, guidance and corrective measures are undertaken to improve the quality, accuracy, balance and presentation of news while ensuring adherence to Prasar Bharati's editorial policies and the Programme Code.

The government further stated that viewer complaints and feedback, including those concerning editorial content, are forwarded to the relevant editorial teams for action under established internal procedures. However, it did not disclose the number of editorial or content-related complaints alleging bias, lack of transparency or compromised independence, nor did it provide findings of any internal reviews into such complaints.

Addressing concerns around institutional autonomy, the Ministry said no grievances or formal representations were received during the last year from journalists, employees or media organizations concerning the autonomy, appointments or editorial functioning of public broadcasters. It added, however, that seven complaints relating to appointments were received from applicants.

The response also highlighted the extensive reach of India's public broadcasting network. According to the government, Akashvani reaches nearly 98% of the country's population and covers about 90% of India's geographical area. It added that DD Free Dish remains available free of subscription charges anywhere in the country, making it one of the country's largest free-to-air television distribution platforms.

On audience engagement and performance evaluation, the Ministry said Prasar Bharati regularly reviews viewership data, audience feedback and social media analytics. These insights, it said, are used to improve the quality, content and presentation of news as part of the broadcaster's routine editorial process. The government, however, did not furnish details of any performance audits, reach surveys or studies measuring audience share, public trust or credibility perception that were sought in the parliamentary question.

The parliamentary response comes amid continued discussions over the role of public broadcasters in delivering impartial news coverage and maintaining editorial independence while remaining publicly funded. While the government reiterated that established editorial processes and oversight mechanisms are in place, it did not announce any fresh structural, legal or governance reforms beyond the continuation of the BIND scheme.