Unit 5 – Media Management Class Notes | MA Journalism & Mass Communication

Unit 5: Media Management Class Notes - Committees and Commissions on Broadcasting

These Media Management class notes for MA Journalism and Mass Communication provide an in-depth study of the key policy committees, government commissions, and legislative acts that defined the structure of broadcasting in India. These MA Journalism and Mass Communication notes systematically examine the historical evolution of public service broadcasting, tracing the transition from direct executive control toward the statutory framework established by the Prasar Bharati Act media autonomy provisions.

Historical Overview of Media Management and Broadcasting Policy

Following independence in 1947, broadcasting in India functioned as a direct department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The central government maintained strict monopoly control over radio and later television networks to promote national integration, agricultural literacy, and developmental communication. As the media ecosystem expanded during the second half of the twentieth century, academic scholars and policy makers recognized that state dominance restricted journalistic objectivity and creative innovation. The study of media management examines how various official committees proposed institutional transformations to grant structural and functional freedom to state broadcasters.

The S.K. Patil Committee Report (1964)

The S.K. Patil Committee was appointed in 1964 to evaluate the financial viability and operational reach of All India Radio. Prior to this committee, broadcasting in India was strictly non-commercial and financed entirely through government budgetary allocations and receiver license fees.

• Commercial Advertising Inception: The committee recommended the phased introduction of commercial advertising on All India Radio to generate independent operational revenue.
• Introduction of Vividh Bharati: The report paved the way for commercial entertainment channels, leading to the monetization of the popular Vividh Bharati service in 1967.
• Financial Self-Sufficiency: It established the principle that public broadcasting could balance educational responsibilities with commercial revenue without sacrificing editorial integrity.

The Ashok Chanda Committee Report (1966)

The Committee on Broadcasting and Information Media, chaired by Ashok K. Chanda (former Auditor-General of India), submitted its landmark report in 1966. The Ashok Chanda committee report broadcasting analysis offered the first formal critique of bureaucratic control over radio and television in India.

• Corporatization of Broadcasting: The committee recommended that All India Radio and the fledgling television service should be converted into an autonomous statutory corporation established by Parliament.
• Separation of Radio and Television: It recognized that television required distinct technological, creative, and administrative management, recommending the structural separation of Doordarshan from All India Radio.
• Depoliticization of Editorial Decisions: The report emphasized that day-to-day news broadcasting must remain free from ministerial interference and administrative delays.

The Khosla Committee Report (1969)

Chaired by Justice G.D. Khosla, the Enquiry Committee on Film Censorship examined the regulatory environment governing motion pictures and visual media in India. The committee addressed the tension between freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and statutory censorship standards.

• Clear Censorship Guidelines: The Khosla Committee called for transparent, rational, and progressive standards in film certification rather than arbitrary administrative cuts.
• Independent Certification Board: It proposed transforming the Central Board of Film Censors into an independent, quasi-judicial body insulated from executive pressure.
• Creative Liberty: The report affirmed that artistic realism and contemporary social themes should be evaluated in their broader context rather than through prudish administrative lenses.

The B.G. Verghese Committee Report (1978)

Following the Emergency period, the Janata Party government in August 1977 constituted a Working Group on Autonomy for Akashvani and Doordarshan, chaired by veteran journalist B.G. Verghese. Submitted in February 1978, the Verghese committee report Akash Bharati blueprint remains one of the most thorough policy documents on broadcast governance in Asia.

• Establishment of Akash Bharati: The committee recommended the creation of an autonomous National Broadcast Trust named "Akash Bharati" to manage both radio and television services.
• Constitutional Safeguards: It proposed constitutional entrenchment of the broadcast trust's autonomy to prevent future political misuse by ruling regimes.
• Decentralized Structure: The report advocated a four-tier management structure comprising national, zonal, regional, and local broadcast stations to reflect India's cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Public Service Accountability: The trust was conceptualized as a trustee for the citizens of India, financed through license fees, commercial revenue, and non-discretionary public grants.

The P.C. Joshi Working Group (1982-1984)

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting constituted a working group under the chairmanship of Dr. P.C. Joshi in 1982 to prepare a software plan for Doordarshan. Submitted in 1984 under the title "An Indian Personality for Television", the report focused on programming philosophy and community engagement.

• Development Communication: The Joshi Working Group stressed that television must prioritize rural education, women's empowerment, health awareness, and scientific temper.
• Critique of Commercial Elitism: The report cautioned against excessive reliance on urban consumerist programming and imported foreign software.
• Regional Production Capabilities: It recommended strengthening local and regional production centers to nurture indigenous cultural talent.

The Prasar Bharati Act, 1990 and Modern Broadcast Management

Drawing heavily from the recommendations of the Ashok Chanda and B.G. Verghese committees, the Indian Parliament enacted the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act in 1990. Although passed unanimously, the legislation remained in abeyance until it was formally brought into force in November 1997.

Under the Act, the Prasar Bharati Board was established as an autonomous statutory body overseeing both All India Radio (Akashvani) and Doordarshan. The board comprises a Chairman, an Executive Member (Chief Executive Officer), Members for Finance and Personnel, and representatives from the Ministry and broadcasting personnel. The statutory mandate directs Prasar Bharati to uphold democratic values, ensure pluralistic content, and safeguard editorial autonomy.

Academic and Professional Relevance for Journalism Students

For students pursuing postgraduate media studies, understanding these committee reports is essential for analyzing contemporary media ownership models, regulatory battles, and digital convergence. These foundational concepts integrate with core MA Journalism & Mass Communication curricula and intersect with modern debates over digital rights and broadcast intellectual property rights. Modern media managers must balance public accountability, economic viability, and journalistic integrity across traditional and digital distribution channels.

Key Summary Table for Media Committee Reviews