New Delhi: The News Broadcasters Federation on Friday, decided to amalgamate with the Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India (ARTBI), making NBF the largest body representing the business interests and editorial freedom of news television broadcasters in India.
“The amalgamation of ARTBI makes NBF beyond doubt the largest pan India broadcasters’ body, more than twice as large as another existing broadcasters association. With this significant scale NBF will set new news standards and highest self-regulation and editorial standards,” said Arnab Goswami, President, News Broadcasters Federation.
The decision on the proposal to amalgamate ARTBI was ratified at the NBF Governing Board meeting on Friday, June 18, 2021. The amalgamation is the first-ever coming together of two industry bodies in the news broadcasting sector, under a single umbrella to help news broadcasters be independent and successful. The amalgamation is crucial as it would help regional news channels and their digital platforms to understand and comply with regulatory requirements. The huge step aims to strengthen the industry by building the Federation more democratic, diverse, and united in spirit, in the best interest of the news broadcasting industry and the public at large.
“We are happy with the merger of India’s first recognized Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India with NBF. Now the time is there for the consolidation where we must consolidate NBF and ARTBI put together so we formed the largest body and can do much better for all stakeholders involved,” said Kartikeya Sharma, Founder, Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India
ARTBI is the only regional news broadcasting industry organization that also sits on the empanelment committee to impanel channels and it is recognized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Government of India. Post the amalgamation, NBF members will also benefit from the empanelment and other benefits.
“NBF most proudly and humbly welcomes the members of ARTBI into the NBF fold to stand together strongly for the sustainability of the news broadcasting sector in India,” said R. Jai Krishna, Secretary-General, News Broadcasters Federation. “The joint entity will support and help smaller and regional news broadcasters, and will upgrade the standard of the news broadcasting industry in a more comprehensible manner.”
“Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India (ARTBI) has been working for resolution of the issues of regional channels at national and state levels with government and other agencies for the past over a decade. The broadcasting industry has evolved during this period. The issues of regional and national broadcasters are almost the same. To leverage the strength and bring in efficacy it has been decided to merge ARTBI with NBF. I am sure this initiative will strengthen the cause of regional channels,” said Rakesh Sharma, Convenor, ARTBI.
