I&B Ministry tightens guidelines for Prasar Bharati foreign correspondents

The I&B ministry has tightened the rules to select Prasar Bharati correspondents for China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to ensure that the reporting of global events on the national broadcaster is "India-centric" and aligned to India's interest. It has made it compulsory for applicants for the job to give a short presentation to the interviewing panel on the foreign country's significance to India's interest, its geopolitics, culture and demographics.

The candidates will have to include in the presentation their understanding of the country's importance in the larger context of geopolitics, major historical incidents, India's perspective and how the country is viewed globally.

The selection process which just comprised a short interview earlier by the I&B secretary, will now include a selection committee comprising the I&B secretary, Prasar Bharati CEO, additional secretary of the I&B ministry, the government's spokesperson and a joint secretary from the external affairs ministry nominated by the foreign secretary.


The number of years of experience has also been revised to three compulsory years of service at the national broadcaster. The candidates, unlike previous years, will also have to be trained in mobile journalism, digital tools and should have done some exclusive work in journalism.

A senior official explained that earlier a candidate's language proficiency, desirable qualifications such as the applicant's knowledge of international relations, global politics and strategic affairs were assessed through an interview.