Prasar Bharati Launches Free Multimedia News Platform
Why in the News?
Prasar Bharati, established under the Prasar Bharati Act, has invited all Indian media outlets to register for PB-SHABD, a free newswire service offering daily multimedia news stories in multiple languages. It aims to ensure authentic information dissemination and wider access to public service broadcasting resources, promoting informed public discourse.
Role of Prasar Bharati:
● India’s Public Broadcaster: Prasar Bharati is the autonomous broadcasting agency of India, overseeing the Doordarshan television network and All India Radio, which serves as the official radio broadcaster.
● Mandate: It serves to disseminate reliable information, promote cultural heritage including traditional art forms, and ensure public interest broadcasting.
● Content Diversity: Offers high-quality news content, documentaries, educational programming, and emergency communication services.
● Credibility: Known for non-commercial, balanced news and government announcements.
● Modernization Push: PB-SHABD reflects the agency’s efforts to digitally transform its services and outreach, aiming for digital entertainment leadership in the broadcasting sector.
Information Ministry’s Outreach and Objectives
● Official Emphasis: Secretary Sanjay Jaju urged all credible media to join the platform for authentic reporting.
● Goal: Ensure widespread access to verified information through national and regional channels, supporting major Indian languages.
● Content Democratization: Aims to bridge gaps between public broadcasters and private media houses.
● Support for Journalism: Empowers smaller outlets with free, credible multimedia content.
● Trusted Repository: Encourages adoption of PB-SHABD as a go-to source for reliable news.
| Understanding PB-SHABD Platform and Key Features: |
| ● What is PB-SHABD?: It stands for Prasar Bharati Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination, launched in March 2023. |
● Multilingual Coverage: Offers 800+ news stories daily in multiple Indian languages, spanning 40+ categories.
● Rich Multimedia Content: Includes live feeds, visual archives, and research-based articles, providing high-quality news content.
● User-Friendly Access: All content is available in ready-to-use formats for media outlets and creators, supporting the television broadcasting service and radio platforms.