Prasar Bharti Act
The Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, is a significant piece of legislation in India that established the Prasar Bharati Corporation. Prasar Bharati is an autonomous body that governs and manages the public broadcasting service in India, which includes the All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD), the country's national radio and television networks, respectively.
Here are some key points about the Prasar Bharati Act:
- Establishment: The Prasar Bharati Act was enacted on September 15, 1990, and it came into effect on November 15, 1997. It was established to ensure the autonomy and independence of the public broadcasting services in India.
- Autonomous Corporation: Prasar Bharati is established as an autonomous corporation, which means it has a certain degree of independence from government control in its day-to-day operations and programming decisions.
- Mandate: The primary objective of Prasar Bharati is to provide public broadcasting services that inform, educate, and entertain the public. It is tasked with preserving the unity and integrity of the nation and promoting democratic values.
- Composition: The Act outlines the composition of the Prasar Bharati Board, which includes a Chairman, an Executive Member, and a Member Finance, among others. The Act also specifies the qualifications and terms of service for these board members.
- Funding: Prasar Bharati is funded through grants-in-aid from the government, as well as through revenue generated from its own operations, including advertising and sponsorship.
- Independence: One of the key objectives of the Act is to ensure the autonomy and independence of Prasar Bharati. It is meant to protect the public broadcaster from undue government interference in its editorial and programming decisions.
- Functions: The Act outlines the functions and duties of Prasar Bharati, which include producing and broadcasting programs, promoting research and development, and expanding its services to different parts of the country.
- Accountability: While Prasar Bharati is granted autonomy, the Act also includes provisions for accountability and transparency in its operations. It requires the corporation to submit annual reports and audited accounts to the Parliament.
- Amendments: Over the years, there have been discussions and debates about amending the Prasar Bharati Act to address various issues and challenges in the broadcasting sector. Some amendments have been proposed to enhance its functioning and adapt it to changing media landscapes.
The Prasar Bharati Act is an important piece of legislation in India's media landscape as it seeks to balance the autonomy of public broadcasting with its responsibility to serve the interests of the Indian public and promote democratic values through radio and television broadcasts.
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