Prasar Bharati is not a public service broadcaster
The article argues that Prasar Bharati has failed to achieve the promised BBC-style autonomy, remaining under government control. It highlights that despite political promises, the state continues to use the public broadcaster as a platform for its own agenda.
Why it matters
It raises critical questions about media independence and the role of state-funded broadcasters in a democracy.
Prasar Bharati is not a public service broadcaster left ‘Prasar Bharati is a mouthpiece of the government of the day’ Getty Images/iStockphoto Getty Images/iStockphoto https://th-i.thgim.com/public/opinion/op-ed/ui1d38/article71612654.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/iStock-620739962.jpg urfinguss Concept of TV dependence. TV in the trap. TV as trap for crowd. 3d illustration Prasar Bharati remains a pretender — 12 years after a promise of BBC-style autonomy, the corporation is still on a ministerial leash When the Narendra Modi government took office in May 2014, the then Information and Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar, promised to end the “government fiefdom” over Prasar Bharati and recast it on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) model: autonomous in administration, free in editorial judgement, and accountable to Parliament. Twelve years later that promise remains unfulfilled. The 138th episode of “Mann Ki Baat”, broadcast on September 27, 2026, is only the most visible reminder that the state still treats the public airwaves as its own platform.
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