Why in the News?
- PBSHABD is Prasar Bharati’s free, multimedia news feed service, launched on 13 March 2024 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
- It provides registered media organisations with ready-to-use news content in 15 Indian languages and five formats.
Key Highlights
- PBSHABD stands for Prasar Bharati – Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination.
- Launched: 13 March 2024, New Delhi.
- Free access extended up to March 2027.
- User base: 3,600 media organisations.
- Content available in: Text, Video, Audio, Photographs, and Infographics
- Content available in 15 Indian languages and nearly 50 news categories.
- Users include media organisations, digital publishers and content creators.
- Content can be used without a Prasar Bharati logo or credit line.
Prasar Bharati
- Prasar Bharati is India’s public service broadcaster.
- Created under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990.
- Corporation came into existence on 23 November 1997.
- Its two constituents are:
- Akashvani
- Doordarshan
- Its mandate includes a fair and balanced flow of information in the public interest.
Evolution: PBNS to PBSHABD
- PBNS (Prasar Bharati News Service) initially functioned as an internal news wire for Prasar Bharati’s editorial teams.
- In March 2024, PBSHABD expanded this infrastructure into a multimedia news-sharing platform.
- PBSHABD provides ready-to-use content to external registered media organisations.
- PBSHABD 2.0 is planned with new product lines and improved delivery.
News Gathering and Editorial Network
- More than 1,500 reporters, correspondents and stringers contribute to the news pipeline.
- 60 dedicated editorial desks operate round the clock.
- Akashvani News:
- 46 Regional News Units + 1 Headquarters
- 607 bulletins daily in 92 languages and dialects.
- Doordarshan News:
- 31 Regional News Units + 1 Headquarters
- 145+ bulletins in more than 22 languages and dialects.
Editorial Verification
- PBSHABD uses multiple layers of editorial checks before dissemination.
- The service maintains safeguards against:
- Fake content
- Morphed content
- Manipulated content
- Unverified online material
- Stories are timestamped, datelined and captioned to identify when and where developments occurred.
Who Can Register?
- Newspapers and journals: Valid RNI certificate.
- Television and radio stations: Valid uplink and downlink certificates.
- Digital publishers: Copy of PAN.
- Each organisation receives one login, which can be shared within its newsroom.
Prelims Quick Revision
- Prasar Bharati Act: 1990.
- Prasar Bharati came into existence: 23 November 1997.
- Constituents: Akashvani and Doordarshan.
- PBSHABD launched: 13 March 2024.
- PBSHABD provides 5 content formats in 15 Indian languages.
- Current user base: 3,600 media organisations.
- Free access extended up to March 2027.
- News network: 1,500+ field personnel and 60 editorial desks.
- PBSHABD 2.0 is planned for expanded products and improved delivery.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- Prasar Bharati Act was enacted in 1990, but Prasar Bharati came into existence in 1997.
- PBNS was primarily an internal news wire, whereas PBSHABD is a multimedia news-sharing platform for registered external media users.
- PBSHABD is not limited to text news: it provides text, video, audio, photographs and infographics.
- PBSHABD was launched in 2024, not 1997. Prasar Bharati itself dates to 1997.
