Lok Sabha Question No. 2202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-20
Subject: Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2202 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2022)

## GUIDELINES FOR UPLINKING AND DOWNLINKING OF TELEVISION CHANNELS

## 2202. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of Information and Broadcasting be pleased to state:

- (a)        whether  the  Government  has  approved  'Guidelines  for  Uplinking  and  Downlinking  of Television Channels in the country, 2022';
- b) if so, the details and salient features thereof;
- c) whether it will be obligatory for channels to telecast content in public and national interest under the said guidelines;
- d) if so, the details and motives thereof indicating theme of content to be telecast; and;
- e) the time by which the said provision is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS {SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR}

(a)  &  (b): Yes.  Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  has  issued  Policy  Guidelines  for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022 which is available in the  website  of  this  Ministry  https://mib.gov.in/broadcasting/broadcasting-codes-guidelines-andpolicies .

(c)  : The  Clause  35  of  the  Policy  Guidelines  for  Uplinking  and  Downlinking  of  Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022 provides that a company/LLP having permission under these guidelines  for  uplinking  a  channel  and  its  downlinking  in  India  may  undertake  public  service broadcasting for a minimum period of 30 minutes in a day on themes of national importance and of social relevance.

(d) :  A  company/LLP having permission under these guidelines for uplinking a channel and its downlinking  in  India  (other  than  foreign  channels  only  downlinked  in  India)  may  undertake public service broadcasting for a minimum period of 30 minutes in a day on themes of national importance and of social relevance, including the following, namely -

(i) education and spread of literacy;

(ii) agriculture and rural development;

(iii) health and family welfare;

(iv) science and technology;

(v) welfare of women;

(vi) welfare of the weaker sections of the society;

(vii) protection of environment and of cultural heritage; and

(viii) national integration

The objective of this process is to spread greater awareness on the themes of national importance and of social relevance under obligation of public service broadcasting.

The above list is not exhaustive and other themes which are of national importance and of social relevance may also qualify for being accounted under Obligation for Public Service Broadcasting.

(e) :    The  Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022 has come into effect from 09.11.2022. Rounds of consultation have been carried out with the broadcasters and their associations for implementation of the Public Service Broadcasting Obligation.

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