#e4mExclusive:  Rahul Joshi bows out of NBDA; Network18 to send new top executive

Rahul Joshi has resigned from the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), stepping down from his role at the industry's apex body while continuing as Managing Director of Network18, according to people familiar with the matter.

Sources told e4m that Joshi's exit is driven by increasing professional commitments that have made it difficult for him to participate in the association's meetings and deliberations with the frequency required. The development is understood to be an administrative transition rather than a strategic or policy disagreement with the industry body.

"Rahul Joshi is resigning from NBDA because he has been unable to attend several meetings owing to paucity of time. The association believes that a senior executive who can devote more time to its activities should represent the company," a person aware of the development said.

According to multiple industry sources, Network18 is expected to nominate another senior official to represent the media conglomerate at NBDA. The replacement is likely to be a top executive from the company who can participate more actively in the association's policy discussions, governance meetings and regulatory engagements.

Joshi, however, will continue in his role as Managing Director of Network18 and is expected to remain focused on steering the group's broadcast and digital news businesses.

The transition comes at a time when NBDA has been playing an increasingly active role in engaging with policymakers on issues impacting the television news and digital news ecosystem. The association has been at the forefront of industry representations on broadcasting regulations, content standards, digital news policy, self-regulation and evolving legislative frameworks governing media.

Given the expanding scope of the industry's engagement with multiple ministries and regulators, attendance at committee meetings and consultations has become increasingly demanding for member organizations. Industry executives said the decision reflects the practical need for companies to nominate representatives who can dedicate adequate time to the association's work.

People familiar with the matter emphasized that Joshi's resignation should not be interpreted as Network18 distancing itself from NBDA. Instead, the company intends to maintain an active presence in the association through another senior executive who can regularly participate in discussions and represent the broadcaster's views on key policy issues.

The move also highlights the growing workload of senior media executives as the sector navigates multiple regulatory developments. Over the past year, broadcasters have been engaged with issues ranging from television audience measurement reforms and broadcasting policy to digital content regulations, advertising norms and distribution-related matters.

NBDA, which represents leading television news broadcasters and digital news publishers, serves as one of the principal industry forums engaging with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, other government departments and regulatory authorities on matters affecting the news broadcasting sector. Its committees regularly deliberate on editorial standards, self-regulatory mechanisms, legal developments and policy recommendations before making industry representations.

For large media companies, representation at the association has become increasingly important as policy consultations have intensified across multiple areas of the media business. Consequently, several member organizations have, over the years, nominated different senior executives depending on evolving business priorities and leadership responsibilities.

Industry observers said the change at Network18 is expected to ensure greater continuity in the company's participation within NBDA, particularly as the association continues its engagement with policymakers on a wide range of regulatory and industry issues.

Network18 did not officially announce the development at the time of publishing. Queries sent to both remained unanswered. The article will be updated if responses are received.