TRAI Releases Recommendations On National Broadcast Policy

TRAI has released recommendations on ‘Inputs for formulation of National Broadcasting Policy-2024’.

“The policy aims at stipulating the vision, mission, goals and strategies that could set the tone for a planned development and growth of the broadcasting sector in the country in the era of new and emerging technologies,” said TRAI in its 180-page long document.

The Authority had floated a pre-consultation paper on 21 September 2023, to elicit the issues needed to be considered for the formulation of ‘National Broadcasting Policy’.

Written comments on the pre-consultation paper were invited from the stakeholders by 10 October 2023, which, at the request of the stakeholders, was further extended up to 7 November 2023.

TRAI received 28 comments from various associations, companies, service providers, individuals and consumer advocacy groups.

The Authority, after examining various issues emanating from the written submissions of the stakeholders in the pre-consultation paper, discussions and submissions received from various meetings across the country, issued the Consultation Paper (CP) titled ‘Inputs for formulation of National Broadcasting Policy-2024’ on 2 April 2024.

The CP identified the focus areas and raised 20 questions that required consideration of the stakeholders and their specific comments. Comments were received from 42 stakeholders. The Open House Discussion (OHD) in online mode was held on 15th May 2024. Certain additional comments were also received post-OHD. The comments, OHD submissions and the additional comments have been analysed and considered for the recommendations to the Government.

The Authority has recommended the following Vision, Mission and Goals for the National Broadcasting Policy-2024.

Vision

To foster a competitive, affordable and ubiquitous ecosystem for sustained growth of the broadcasting sector, catering to the diverse needs of consumers that facilitates quality content creation, promotes democratic values and cultural diversity, enables inclusivity and literacy, attracts investments, safeguards intellectual property, develops resilient indigenous infrastructure, adopts emerging technologies, generates employment and drives socioeconomic development through innovation and collaboration for strengthening India’s soft image and positioning ‘Brand India’ globally.

Mission

In pursuit of establishing India as a global leader in the broadcasting sector, this policy intends to target a broad roadmap for 10 years with a special focus on the next 5 years. The National Broadcasting Policy-2024 envisages to achieve the following:

A. Propelling Growth

Establishing a robust broadcasting ecosystem by enabling growth-oriented policies and regulations through data-driven governance.

Supporting the creation of a resilient, adaptive and tech-agile infrastructure fostering R&D, technology innovation and indigenous manufacturing.

Facilitating level playing field and healthy competition; promoting ease of doing business and stimulating economic growth by enabling the reach of broadcasting services to all, positioning India as an ‘Uplinking Hub’ for television channels, attracting investments, generating employment opportunities and promoting skill development.

B. Promoting Content

Supporting quality content production and distribution for television, radio and OTT broadcasting services, encouraging the proliferation of Indian content, both locally and globally, by harnessing the power of emerging broadcasting technologies and making India a ‘Global Content Hub’.

Establishing India as a preferred destination for content creation. Enabling quality content production in public service broadcasting to inform, educate and entertain the masses.

Promoting and facilitating the growth of Indian content through films, animation, visual effects, gaming, music and state-of-the-art postproduction infrastructure.

C. Protecting Interests

Combating piracy and safeguarding the rights of content creators and intellectual property holders through copyright protection.

Fulfilling social responsibilities by ensuring awareness and enabling provisions for disseminating information to all strata of society; and environmental responsibilities through green broadcasting practices and disaster preparedness.

Goals

A. Propelling Growth: Establishing a robust broadcasting ecosystem

a. Measure sector’s performance based on various key economic parameters to enable data-driven policy decisions b. Enable reach and access of television broadcasting services to uncovered households c. Enable radio coverage in uncovered areas d. Promote R&D and secure IPR in the broadcasting sector e. Promote manufacturing and adoption of new technologies including indigenous broadcasting technologies and equipment f. Employment generation, bolstered through training and upskilling for providing New Age Skills to the workforce g. Encourage innovation-led startups and empower Small and Medium Enterprises  Foster conducive policies and regulatory practices for economic growth i. Make India an Uplinking Hub’ of television channels j. Leverage digital terrestrial broadcasting as a complimentary broadcasting technology k. Establish an effective audience measurement and rating system

B. Promoting Content: Encouraging Indian content outreach at the global stage a. Establish India as a hub for content creation b. Strengthen Public Service Broadcasting Facilitate content proliferation through Digital Radio Broadcasting Support growth and proliferation of Indian Content through OTT broadcasting services €. Support Indian Content production through films, animation, visual effects, gaming and music

C. Protecting Interests: Safeguarding rights of content creators and leveraging broadcasting services for protecting socio-environmental interests of the society a. Enforce content security through copyright protection b. Address social and environmental responsibilities c. Recognise the role of the broadcaster during disasters.