I&B Ministry
I&B minister calls for balance between media commercialisation, public issues
NEW DELHI: Information & broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has called for a proper balance and synergy between the commercialisation of the broadcast media and the concern for larger public issues.
Pointing out that at a time when globalisation is taking place at a tremendous pace along with commercialisation, the preservation of cultural identities, heritage, age-old values and traditions should not be lost sight of. In this context, the local and regional content becomes very essential he said, adding that, “What is good for the West need not necessarily be good for the East too”.
Inaugurating the 2nd General Conference and Associated Meetings of the Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development here last evening, Prasad said that the electronic media is expanding in the Asia-Pacific region at a great speed, which entails great responsibility on the broadcasting organisations.
Though there can be no compromise so far as the freedom of media is concerned, Prasad said the broadcasters must not forget that the consumer also has got freedom of choice. In what sounded like a hint to the broadcasters, especially pay broadcasters operating in India, the minister said the consumer choice should not be impaired in any manner and, in order to achieve this, government control or a regulator is not the answer. He added, “The proper way in this regard would be self-regulation.”
Prasad also pointed to the glaring ‘digital divide’ in the developing countries more so in the Asia-Pacific region and said that there are sections of the society that are saturated with information while there are others, which are deprived of information.
He called upon the broadcasting organisations to take steps to remove this imbalance. In this regard, he emphasised the role of Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) because the private broadcasters are driven by commercial consideration. But, he said, PSBs need to focus on training, orientation, professionalism and human resource development.
Prasad regretted that the fast commercialization has driven the projection of development stories to the background. Dwelling on his pet theme, the minister said, “Development can also be displayed in a creative manner. If globalisation has to succeed and broadcasting to progress as a powerful medium, then development has to be the content. The media has to function as a vehicle of change”.
Appreciating the role of AIBD in co-coordinating the development of broadcast media in the region, Prasad said that it is focused on human resource development and creating network with the governments. He pledged all support to AIBD in its endeavours.
Prasad also awarded three prizes for best Radio and TV programmes. The resident of the AIBD said on the occasion that the region has to take steps to formulate policies and regulations to keep pace with the fast developments in the broadcast field. Messages from the UN Secretary General Koffi Annan and UNESCO Director General were also read on the occasion.
About 75 delegates from the countries in the Asia-Pacific Region and representatives from several organizations like UNESCO, UNESCAP and Commonwealth Broadcasting Association are attending the session in India. The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development with its headquarters at Kuala Lumpur is a unique regional inter-governmental organisation, servicing countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in the field of electronic media development. The AIBD is mandated to achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development.
I&B Ministry
CBFC speeds up film certification; average approval time cut to 22 days
Over 71,900 films cleared in five years as digital system shortens approval timelines
MUMBAI:Â The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has significantly reduced the time taken to certify films, with the average approval timeline now down to 22 working days for feature films and just three days for short films.
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the statutory body certifies films for public exhibition in line with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The rules prescribe a maximum certification period of 48 working days, though the adoption of the Online Certification System has sharply accelerated the process.
Over the past five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the board certified a total of 71,963 films across formats. Of these, the majority fell under the U category with 41,817 titles, followed by UA with 28,268 films and A with 1,878 films. No films were certified under the S category during the period.
Film approvals have also steadily risen in recent years. The CBFC cleared 8,299 films in 2020-21, a figure that peaked at 18,070 in 2022-23 before settling at 15,444 films in 2024-25. During the same period, 11,064 films were certified with cuts or modifications.
Despite the high volume of certifications, outright refusals remain rare. Only three films were denied certification over the last five years, with one refusal recorded in 2022-23 and two in 2024-25.
The board may recommend cuts or modifications if a film violates statutory parameters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
Filmmakers can challenge CBFC decisions in court. Data shows that such disputes remain limited but have seen some fluctuation. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 21 certification decisions were challenged before High Courts, with the number rising to 10 cases in 2025.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan shared the data. The question was raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
With faster timelines and a largely digital workflow, the certification process appears to be moving at a far brisker pace, signalling a shift towards quicker clearances for India’s growing film output.
