TV channels to have 30-min public service broadcasting

NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting on Wednesday announced relaxation in guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of satellite television channels, wherein no prior permission is needed for live telecast of any non-news event and Indian teleports may uplink foreign channels, which was prohibited until now, for downlinking abroad. The new guidelines also made it mandatory for channels to telecast content of 30-minute duration in ‘national interest’ for ‘public service’ every day, for which the I&B ministry will come up with a detailed advisory.