Context
- In August 2026, the government informed the Lok Sabha that no formal grievances concerning Prasar Bharati’s autonomy, appointments or editorial functioning had been received from journalists, employees or media bodies during the preceding year.
- The issue has nevertheless renewed attention to the institutional safeguards provided under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990 for autonomous public broadcasting.
Statutory Mandate of Prasar Bharati
- Prasar Bharati was created under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 and became operational in 1997.
- It functions through Akashvani and Doordarshan as India’s public broadcasting corporation.
- Section 12 makes it the Corporation’s primary duty to inform, educate and entertain and ensure balanced development of radio and television broadcasting.
- Its mandate also includes serving rural and weaker sections, minorities, tribal communities, women, children and people living in border and remote regions.
- The Act therefore gives Prasar Bharati a broader public-service mandate than merely maximizing audience or commercial revenue.
Institutional Safeguards and Gaps
- Parliamentary Committee: Section 13 provides for a 22-member committee of Parliament to oversee whether Prasar Bharati is performing its statutory functions.
- Broadcasting Council: Section 14 requires a Broadcasting Council to receive complaints under Section 15 and advise the Corporation on compliance with its public-service objectives.
- Parliamentary scrutiny has previously recorded that these two statutory mechanisms had not been operationalized, weakening the oversight structure envisaged by the Act.
- Central directions: Section 23 permits the Union Government to issue directions on specified matters concerning sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, security of the State and preservation of public order.
- Every such direction must be laid before both Houses of Parliament, providing a measure of legislative scrutiny.
Constitutional Significance
- In Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal (1995), the Supreme Court held that airwaves/frequencies are public property and must be used in the wider interest of society.
- The Court also recognized that the right to impart and receive information forms part of Article 19(1)(a).
- Because broadcasting uses a scarce public resource, the constitutional objective is not merely state control or commercial access, but promotion of free speech and plurality of opinion.
- An autonomous public broadcaster therefore has democratic value in providing credible information, regional representation and programming for groups inadequately served by commercial media.
Strengthening Institutional Autonomy
- Operationalize the Parliamentary Committee and Broadcasting Council envisaged under the Act.
- Strengthen transparent appointments, professional management and internal editorial safeguards.
- Ensure that directions under Section 23 remain confined to the specific statutory grounds and continue to face parliamentary scrutiny.
- Maintain predictable public funding while insulating day-to-day editorial decisions from unnecessary external influence.
FAQs
Q1. Under which law was Prasar Bharati established?
The Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990.
Q2. Which organizations operate under Prasar Bharati?
Akashvani and Doordarshan.
Q3. What does Section 12 deal with?
It specifies the functions and public-service mandate of Prasar Bharati.
Q4. Which judgment declared airwaves to be public property?
Secretary, Ministry of I&B v. Cricket Association of Bengal (1995).
Q5. Which statutory bodies provide oversight?
The Parliamentary Committee under Section 13 and Broadcasting Council under Sections 14–15.
