PBSHABD: Prasar Bharati’s Initiative for Wider Dissemination of Trusted News

PBSHABD: Prasar Bharati’s Trusted News Service

Why in News?

• Prasar Bharati is expanding the reach of its news-gathering network through PBSHABD, a free news-sharing service for media organisations. 
• PBSHABD was launched on 13 March 2024 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi. 
• It evolved from the Prasar Bharati News Service (PBNS), which initially served as an internal news wire for Akashvani and Doordarshan. 
• PBSHABD stands for Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination.

Key Features

• PBSHABD provides ready-to-use news content in five formats: 
  • Text 
  • Video 
  • Audio 
  • Photographs 
  • Infographics 
• Content is available in 15 Indian languages and across nearly 50 news categories. 
• The service has around 3,600 registered media organisations.
• Free access has been extended up to March 2027. 
• Registered newspapers, television and radio stations, and digital publishers can use the platform subject to prescribed registration requirements. 
• Content does not require a Prasar Bharati logo or credit line, allowing media organisations to publish it under their own identity. 

News-Gathering Network

• PBSHABD is supported by Prasar Bharati’s nationwide network of over 1,500 reporters, correspondents and stringers. 
• Around 60 dedicated editorial desks work continuously to process and verify news. 
• Akashvani operates 46 Regional News Units and its headquarters, while Doordarshan News operates 31 Regional News Units and its headquarters. 

PBSHABD: Evolution and Key Milestones

• 1990: Parliament passed the Prasar Bharati Act, providing the legal framework for the public broadcaster. 
• 1997: Prasar Bharati formally came into existence on 23 November 1997. 
• Till 2024: The Prasar Bharati News Service (PBNS) functioned mainly as an internal news wire for the editorial teams of Prasar Bharati. 
• March 2024: PBSHABD was launched on 13 March 2024 as a free platform for sharing news in multiple formats. 
• March 2025: After completing one year, free access to the service was extended up to March 2026. 
• March 2026: Free access was further extended up to March 2027. 
• Future: PBSHABD 2.0 is planned with additional products and improved delivery mechanisms.

Prasar Bharati

• Prasar Bharati is India’s public service broadcaster. 
• It is a statutory autonomous body established in 1997 under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990. 
• Its primary objective is to provide broadcasting services that inform, educate and entertain the public. 
• Constituents: Prasar Bharati operates through two major constituents: 
  • Akashvani (All India Radio) 
  • Doordarshan 
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Practice Question

Q. With reference to PBSHABD and Prasar Bharati, consider the following statements:

1. PBSHABD was launched in March 2024 as an extension of the Prasar Bharati News Service (PBNS), which earlier functioned mainly as an internal news wire. 
2. PBSHABD provides content in 15 Indian languages and five formats, including text, video, audio, photographs and infographics. 
3. Prasar Bharati was established as a statutory autonomous body in 1990 under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990.  
4. Free access to PBSHABD has been extended up to March 2027, while PBSHABD 2.0 is planned for the future. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
 B. 1 and 3 only
 C. 2, 3 and 4 only
 D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

• PBSHABD was launched on 13 March 2024 and evolved from PBNS, which earlier functioned mainly as an internal news wire for Prasar Bharati. Hence, Statement 1 is Correct. 
• PBSHABD provides news in 15 Indian languages and five formats—text, video, audio, photographs and infographics. Hence, Statement 2 is Correct. 
• The Prasar Bharati Act was enacted in 1990, but Prasar Bharati itself came into existence as a statutory autonomous body on 23 November 1997. Hence, Statement 3 is Incorrect. 
• Free access to PBSHABD has been extended up to March 2027, and PBSHABD 2.0 is planned with additional products and improved delivery. Hence, Statement 4 is Correct.