No complaints on Prasar Bharati autonomy, Centre tells Lok Sabha
The government on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that it had not received any grievances or formal representations in the past year from journalists, employees
The government on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that it had not received any grievances or formal representations in the past year from journalists, employees or media bodies on the autonomy, appointments or editorial functioning of public broadcasters. It said, however, that seven complaints related to appointments had been received from applicants. In a written reply to a question by Samajwadi Party MPs Priya Saroj and Pushpendra Saroj, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan also said editorial matters at Prasar Bharati are regularly reviewed, and viewer complaints on content are sent to the relevant editorial teams for action.
The government further informed the House that the Centre's Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme has been extended till March 2027. Read Full Story Murugan said, "In the last one year, no grievances or formal representations received from journalists, employees or media bodies concerning autonomy, appointments or editorial functioning of public broadcasters. However, 07 complaints regarding appointment were received from the applicants." The MPs had sought details of editorial or content-related complaints alleging bias, lack of transparency or compromised independence, and the findings of internal reviews or oversight mechanisms at Prasar Bharati, which has Doordarshan and All India Radio as its constituents.
In response, the government said editorial matters are regularly reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and senior editorial teams, and guidance and corrective steps are taken whenever required to improve the quality, accuracy, balance and presentation of news while ensuring compliance with Prasar Bharati's editorial policies and Programme Code. The government also said viewer complaints or feedback, including those related to editorial content, are forwarded to the relevant editorial team for appropriate action under the established policy.
It added that the BIND scheme for the development, modernisation and upgradation of Prasar Bharati's broadcasting infrastructure has been extended till March 2027. Ends
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