Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet with a delegation from the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), India’s largest body of news broadcasters, on Thursday in New Delhi. The meeting aims to discuss the future of the broadcast news industry in India, addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The delegation will be led by Arnab Goswami, Republic Media Network Chairman and NBF Founding President. As the largest news industry body in India, with over 50 news broadcaster members, the NBF views this meeting as an opportunity to present its concerns and highlight the significant role it plays as an institution of democracy. The organization also hopes to gain insights into the Prime Minister’s vision for shaping the future of broadcast news television in the country.

Arnab Goswami, known for his proactive stance on industry concerns, will lead the discussions, providing the Prime Minister with an overview of the current state of the news industry. “This is an opportunity to not only update the Prime Minister on the challenges faced by the industry but also to gain insight into his vision for the future of broadcast news television in India,” Goswami stated.

Key Focus Areas for Discussion

The NBF delegation plans to raise several key issues during the meeting, including:

• Challenges faced by national and regional news channels: The NBF will discuss the difficulties encountered by both national and regional broadcasters, emphasizing the need for structural support and reforms.
• Lack of transparency and data sharing: The federation will express concerns regarding the current rating measurement systems and the need for a more transparent and digitized approach in line with the Government of India’s policies.
• Evolution of the rating measurement system: Goswami is expected to highlight the need for evolving the existing rating measurement system to better reflect the changing landscape of media consumption, particularly with the rise of Connected Television (CTV) viewership.

The meeting comes in the wake of the Prime Minister’s recent call for the Indian media to find a global voice. The NBF shares this vision and expects an exchange of thoughts on the steps necessary to elevate Indian media’s presence on the global stage. “We firmly align with the Prime Minister’s vision for a globally recognized Indian media, and this meeting is a step toward that goal,” Goswami noted.

The NBF delegation includes a diverse group of media stalwarts, representing both national and regional channels across the country. Notable members in the delegation include:

• Barun Das, MD & CEO of TV9 Group
• Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, Chairperson and Managing Director of Pride East Entertainments
• Kartikeya Sharma, Founder of ITV Network
• Jagi Mangat Panda, Co-Founder & MD, Odisha Television Network Ltd (OTV)
• Shankar Bala, CEO of Fourth Dimension Media Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Angad Deep Singh, Living India News
• Sanjive Narain, Founder of Prag News

Additionally, the delegation includes industry leaders from conglomerates such as Sreekandan Nair, Managing Director of Insight Media City, Manoj Gairola, Editor-in-Chief of News Nation Network, and several others from various news organizations across India.

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of growing viewership through Connected Televisions (CTVs) and a significant shift in how broadcast news is consumed in India. This transformation lays the groundwork for critical frameworks that could potentially elevate the voice of Indian media on a global scale. The NBF is keen to discuss the necessary structural policies that could shape the future of the news industry in India, ensuring a level playing field for broadcasters of all sizes.

Arnab Goswami, representing the NBF, emphasized, “We aim to create a fair and competitive environment in the Indian news industry, where all broadcasters—large and small—can thrive without facing restrictive trade practices.” The NBF is composed mainly of non-corporate media owners who have built their organizations independently to maintain the democratic ethos of news dissemination.This meeting comes at a crucial time for the Indian news industry, which is undergoing rapid changes due to digitalization and evolving viewer habits. With over 50 news broadcasters in its fold, the NBF disseminates news in over 14 languages across more than 25 states in India. The federation plays a critical role in representing the interests of its members and advocating for policies that foster growth and innovation.

The NBF meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to set the tone for future developments in the news industry, with discussions focusing on transparency, innovation, and the potential for Indian news media to reach a global audience.

This engagement marks a significant step toward aligning the objectives of the Indian news industry with the government’s broader vision of making India’s media a powerful global voice.