NBF announces expansion into NBDF, raises concerns over BARC corruption allegations

In its annual meeting, NBF adopted a resolution stating that the matter of Kerala TRP scam will be formally taken up with BARC

by e4m Staff
Published: Dec 1, 2025 9:33 AM | 2 min read

The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has held its annual meeting in Delhi NCR and announced its expansion into the News Broadcasters & Digital Media Federation (NBDF). The shift marks a major structural development, aligning the organisation with India’s rapidly converging broadcast and digital media environment, stated a press release.

A key focus of the meeting was the recent allegations of corruption and tampering within BARC, including the Kerala case involving alleged kickbacks linked to an employee operating out of BARC’s headquarters. Members expressed serious concern over the impact of such incidents on the credibility of television ratings and the integrity of the audience measurement system. The Federation noted that confidence in independent measurement is fundamental to the news sector’s functioning and must be fully protected.

In a dedicated resolution, NBF stated that the issue will be formally taken up with BARC, calling for transparent corrective measures, strict accountability, and structural reforms to ensure tamper-proof and independent ratings. The matter was highlighted as a priority requiring immediate attention, with broad consensus among members on the urgency of restoring trust in the system.

Alongside this, the Federation announced its transition into NBDF: a unified national body that will represent television broadcasters, digital publishers, and technology-led news organisations under one platform. NBDF will take the lead on policy engagement, digital regulation, platform governance, technology frameworks, and sector-wide coordination. The expanded mandate reflects the shift in audience behaviour and the growing influence of digital media in India’s news ecosystem.

To ensure continuity and stability as the expansion takes effect, all existing office bearers and the full management structure will continue in their roles. This ensures steady leadership as the Federation broadens its scope and responsibilities under the NBDF framework.

Through these decisions, the Federation underscored its commitment to strengthening India’s news industry, advocating for transparency in ratings, and building a unified, future-ready organisation that represents the interests of both regional and national stakeholders across television and digital platforms.