The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), India’s largest accredited network of broadcasters, has officially announced its transition into the News Broadcasters & Digital Media Federation (NBDF). The decision was finalized during its Annual Meeting held in Delhi NCR and reflects the changing landscape of India’s media ecosystem, where digital and broadcast platforms increasingly overlap.
The organisation’s expanded identity aims to represent not only television broadcasters but also digital publishers and technology-driven news organisations under one unified national body. This shift allows NBDF to strengthen its policy engagement, digital regulation efforts, platform governance, and industry-wide collaboration.
A major discussion point during the meeting centered around recent allegations of manipulation and corruption within BARC. Specific concerns were raised about the Kerala case involving suspected kickbacks tied to a BARC employee, sparking debate on the reliability and independence of audience measurement in the country. Members expressed that such incidents undermine industry confidence and disrupt fair competition among news platforms.
In response, the Federation passed a formal resolution demanding accountability, increased transparency, and structural reform within BARC. The aim is to ensure safeguard mechanisms that prevent tampering and restore trust in audience ratings-an essential benchmark for newsroom strategy and advertising valuation.
To maintain stability during the transition, all current office bearers and management will retain their roles. With this evolution, NBDF reinforces its commitment to strengthening India’s news ecosystem, protecting independent measurement systems, and representing diverse regional and national stakeholders across both digital and broadcast formats.
