A view of the Prasar Bharati office in New Delhi.
Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Smirti Irani had constant run-ins with the state broadcaster.
State broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s autonomy would be retained, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday after launching high-definition DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) vans at Doordarshan Bhawan in New Delhi.
“Autonomy of the Prasar Bharati is important and one must remember it gets its autonomy from an Act that was brought in post Emergency to ensure that no one can tamper with its autonomy. And we too want that work smoothly and bring new programmes and find new dimensions,” he said.
Mr. Javadekar’s comments assume significance in the backdrop of former Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Smirti Irani’s constant run-ins with the state broadcaster. In February last, rejecting certain directives issued by the I&B Ministry, Prasar Bharati Chairman Surya Prakash sought to remind the government that the organisation is an “autonomous” body and deciding on its behalf would amount to contempt of the Prasar Bharati Act.
‘Credible programmes’
Mr. Javadekar lauded Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) for their credible programmes and coverage and asked officials to promote channels like DD Bharati. He said the new vans would help DD in collection of high quality visuals from outdoor spots.
DD News has acquired 17 high-definition DSNG vans, which are capable of transmitting signal in HD and multi-camera production.
Mr. Prakash said the public broadcaster was moving ahead in the direction of “Sabka Vishwas” policy propounded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare said a three-year plan had been approved by the government to develop the infrastructure of Prasar Bharati at a cost of Rs 1,054 crore. “There are many channels in the country that claim to be the fastest, but DD and AIR command the highest credibility.” DD and AIR have the highest numbers of viewers and listeners in the country, he noted.
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