TRAI seeks comments on ‘final’ National Broadcast Policy Consultation paper by April 30

The consultation paper has covered topics such as audience measurement and rating system, grievance redressal mechanism, growth prospects of FM Radio, making India a ‘Global Content Hub’, measures to combat piracy and much more

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its Consultation Paper on 'Inputs for formulation of National Broadcasting Policy-2024'. 

Stakeholders can share written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper by April 30, 2024.

“It may be noted that no counter-comments are being invited in this Consultation Paper, as this paper intends formulation of inputs for the broadcasting policy,” TRAI added.

Summary of issues for consultation: 

  • There exist data gaps in ascertaining contribution towards the economy, revenue generation, employment generation, subscription figures etc. in the broadcasting sector which relies heavily on industry studies to carry out research and estimates. TRAI has asked in the paper what should be the parameters, targets and institutional framework for measurement.
  • How can the latest technologies be effectively utilised to provide disaster alerts and timely updates on television/mobile/radio during disasters?
  • How the strategies concerning audience measurement and rating system in National Broadcasting Policy can ensure, address and encourage: 

i. Establishment of a transparent, credible, and technologically equipped television audience measurement system that accurately reflects viewer preferences and behaviour. 

ii. Expansion of the sample size to adequately represent the diverse landscape of television viewership, considering the anticipated growth in TV households. 

iii. Integration of data from non-linear sources from digital media to cover cross-platform content consumption habits. 

iv. Establishing a policy framework for conducting radio audience measurement in India. 

v. Encouraging multiple agencies to ensure healthy competition and enhancing service quality of measurement and methodologies. 

vi. Adoption and utilisation of modern technologies.

  • Strategies for ensuring a robust grievance redressal mechanism to address and resolve complaints concerning content as well as services effectively.
  • What role the broadcasting sector should play in fulfilling social and environmental responsibilities?
  • Measures to combat piracy and ensure content security through copyright protection in the broadcasting sector.
  • Policy and regulatory measures for the creation and expansion of quality Indian content to make India the ‘Global Content Hub’.
  • With the continuous advancement of technologies and convergence of the telecom, information technology and broadcasting sectors, what policy and regulatory measures are required, beyond the existing ones, to facilitate the growth of the broadcasting sector with ease of compliance?
  • Measures and strategies to encourage expansion and ensure orderly growth and sustainability of FM Radio Stations and Community Radio Stations.
  • Initiatives by the government and the industry for the growth of animation, VFX and post-production segments.
  • Policies and regulations for the orderly growth of online gaming in India.
  • Measures to nudge the growth of Indian regional content through OTT platforms.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, through a reference dated July 13, 2023, requested TRAI to provide its considered inputs under Section 11 of the TRAI Act, 1997 for the formulation of the National Broadcasting Policy. 

As a first step, TRAI issued a Pre-Consultation Paper on September 21, 2023, to elicit the issues which are required to be considered for the formulation of the National Broadcasting Policy. 

TRAI said that it received 28 comments on the Pre-Consultation Paper. 

It said, “We have examined the issues emanating from the written submissions and meetings, studied various media and industry reports, public documents, international practices and initiatives taken by the Government for the sector to delve into the existing issues of the sector.”

Accordingly, the Consultation Paper on 'Inputs for the Formulation of National Broadcasting Policy-2024' has been prepared for seeking comments from stakeholders and has been placed on TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in). 

TRAI National Broadcast Policy Telecom Regulatory Authority TRAI consultation paper
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