New Guidelines For TV Channels

Why in the News?

Recently, The Union Cabinet approved the “Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India, 2022”. 

Key Points:

• The provision has been introduced as “airwaves/frequencies are public property and need to be used in the best interest of the society”. 
• The guidelines exempt the channels including those related to sports.

What are the new Guidelines?

• Obligation to telecast content in National/Public Interest

• The eight listed themes include 

• • • • Education and spread of literacy; 
      • Agriculture and rural development; 
      • Health and family welfare; 
      • Science and technology;
      • Welfare of women;
      • Welfare of the weaker sections of society; 
      • Protection of the environment and cultural heritage
      • National integration.

• No prior Permission for Live Telecast of Events

• • The requirement for seeking permission for the live telecast of events has been done away with.

• Indian Teleports may uplink Foreign Channels

• • It allowed to uplink foreign channels from Indian teleports which would create employment opportunities and make India a teleport-hub for other countries.