Broadcasting Evolution, Prasar Bharati & Digital Media
Public broadcasting in India began with experimental radio transmissions by the Radio Club of Bombay in 1923, culminating in the establishment of the Indian State Broadcasting Service in 1930, renamed All India Radio (AIR or Akashvani) in 1936. Television broadcasting commenced under AIR in 1959 as an experimental educational telecast in New Delhi, becoming an independent department named Doordarshan in 1976 and introducing nationwide color telecasts during the 1982 Asian Games. To provide statutory operational autonomy from government control, Parliament passed the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act in 1990, which came into force in 1997. In recent years, broadcasting governance has expanded to encompass the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules to regulate OTT platforms and digital news.
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- All India Radio (AIR) was established in 1936; Rabindranath Tagore coined the alternative name 'Akashvani' in 1938.
- Doordarshan was separated from All India Radio as a distinct department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1976.
- Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) was established as an autonomous statutory corporation in 1997 under the 1990 Act.
- Nationwide colour television broadcasting in India was introduced in 1982 during the 9th Asian Games held in New Delhi.