Noida: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), India’s largest and only accredited group of broadcasters, held its Annual Meeting today in Delhi NCR and announced a significant organisational expansion into the News Broadcasters & Digital Media Federation (NBDF). The transition marks a major strategic move, aligning the body with India’s rapidly evolving and converging broadcast–digital media landscape.
A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion around recent allegations of corruption and manipulation involving BARC, including the Kerala case linked to alleged kickbacks associated with an employee working out of BARC’s headquarters. Members expressed serious concern over the implications of such incidents on the credibility of television ratings and the integrity of the audience measurement ecosystem.
The Federation emphasised that confidence in an independent, tamper-proof measurement system is critical to the functioning of India’s news industry. In a dedicated resolution, NBF announced that it will formally address the issue with BARC, calling for transparent corrective measures, strict accountability, and long-term structural reforms. Members reached a broad consensus on the urgency of restoring trust in the ratings framework.
Alongside its stance on BARC, the Federation unveiled its transition to NBDF—establishing a unified national body that will represent television broadcasters, digital publishers, and technology-driven news organisations under one umbrella. NBDF will lead industry-wide efforts in policy engagement, digital regulation, platform governance, technological standard-setting, and coordinated sector advocacy. The expansion reflects the rapid shift in audience consumption patterns and the growing centrality of digital media in the national news ecosystem.
To ensure continuity during the transition, all current office bearers and the full management structure will continue in their respective roles. This approach ensures stable leadership as the Federation scales its mandate and establishes a comprehensive framework for both TV and digital stakeholders.
Through these decisions, NBF—soon to operate as NBDF—reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India’s news ecosystem, driving transparency in ratings, and building a unified, future-ready organisation that represents the diverse interests of regional and national broadcasters as well as digital media platforms.
