The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in a new advisory has reminded all TV satellite channels to submit to the government the monthly report on public service broadcasting (PSB) messages aired by them as required by regulation.

“All the private satellite TV channels permitted by the Ministry are again advised to comply with the aforesaid Advisory dated 30.01.2023 and upload the monthly PSB Report on the BS Portal latest by 7 day of the following month,” the MIB advisory issued yesterday said.

Under new uplink/downlink guidelines issued by MIB some months back, all permitted TV channels (except foreign channels only downlinked in India) have to air public service broadcasting messages for a minimum period of 30 minutes in a day on themes of national importance and of social relevance. The themes have been outlined by the government.

The move was protested by the TV channels and after negotiations with the government, some concessions were made by MIB without impacting the overall tenor of the January-issued rules.

Yesterday’s advisory adds that for ease of compliance for PSB obligations by the broadcasters, the Ministry has provided bulk uploading facility for online filing of the PSB Report on the Broadcast Seva Portal  and intimated the same to the broadcasters in May.

The reminder apart, MIB has admitted that broadcasters, “both news & current affairs as well as non-news & current affairs, have started filing the PSB Report through the BS Portal”.