I&B Ministry has issued an advisory regarding carrying of news and current affairs content on TV channels. The advisory states that in accordance with the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking of Television Channels From India, 2011, I&B Ministry gives permission for uplinking of TV channels under two categories: (i) Non-News & Current Affairs; and (ii) News & Current Affairs. These two categories are defined as under:
- Non-News & Current Affairs Channel- A Non-News & Current Affairs TV channel means a channel which does not have any element of news and current affairs in its programme content
- News & Current Affairs Channel – A News & Current Affairs TV channel means a channel which has any element of news and current affairs in its programme content.
The News Channels are mandated to carry news and current affairs content while Non-News and Current Affairs channels are not mandated to carry any news and current affairs content. Also, at the time of applying for a Non-News TV channel, the applicant company gives an undertaking that the proposed channel is purely an entertainment channel and does not have any news or current affairs based programme.
In view of the above, it is hereby advised that all TV channels may strictly ensure that there is no violation of the aforementioned conditions of the Guidelines.