Private TV channels told to show 30 minutes of ‘socially relevant’ programmes everyday

The information & broadcasting ministry has directed all private TV channels to show 30 minutes of programmes daily on issues of “national importance” and “social relevance”. The mandate is part of the new uplinking and downlinking guidelines for TV channels released by the ministry in New Delhi on Wednesday.

It has identified eight key areas on which these shows can be based: health, education, spread of literacy, empowerment of people from weaker sections of the society, environment, national integration, cultural heritage and science & technology.