KOLKATA: The Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India (ARTBI), on Friday merged with the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), making NBF the largest body representing the business interests and editorial freedom of news television broadcasters in the country.
“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 News Broadcasters Federation president Arnab Goswami.
The decision was ratified at the NBF Governing Board meeting on 18 June. 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. It 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 together so we form the largest body and can do much better for all stakeholders involved,” said ARTBI founder Kartikeya Sharma.
ARTBI is the only regional news broadcasting industry organisation that also sits on the empanelment committee to empanel channels and it is recognized by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB). 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 NBF secretary-general R. Jai Krishna. “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 efficiency 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.
