Prasar Bharati amends Media Internship Policy; media interns intake increased to 250/year

Prasar Bharati has amended the 'Graduate Media Internship Policy 2020'.

On October 15, the public broadcaster announced amendments to Clause 3(a), Clause 4, Clause 9(c) and Clause 9(l) of the policy.

According to the latest partial modifications, the total annual intake of media interns in a particular year will not exceed 250- which earlier used to be 50 per year.

Vertical and the department amendments include 70 intakes annually in DD News, which used to be 20 earlier.

Under Doordarshan (excluding DD News), the intake is now 75, from 10 earlier. Akashvani (non-news) is 20; NSD, Akashvani is 50; Prasar Bharati News Service and Digital Platform intake has increased to 25 from 10 earlier; and Prasar Bharati Secretariat will have 10 intakes.

According to the policy earlier, graduate in any subject from a recognised university, with PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism/ Journalism/ Mass Communication from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi and its regional centres- were eligible for the internship.

Under new amendment, graduate in any subject from a recognised university, with PG Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism/Journalism/ Mass Communication from Government-accredited institutions/ Universities offering Mass Communication courses, are eligible.

In short, no compulsion for a PG diploma from IIMC only for the media internships.

Earlier, the policy stated that such short-term contractual engagements is to be given to a maximum of 50% of existing Media Interns, capping the total number of Media Executives/ Sub Editors at a maximum total of 40 persons per year, which now has increased to 200 Media Executives in total.

To retain good talent in the interest of organisation who have been trained by the organisation, contracts of Media Executives/Sub Editors may be renewed beyond two years as contractual, if one has been graded as "Above Expectation", as per the policy earlier.

Additionally, this offer is to be done only on need basis of the organisation and a suitable position will be offered to such Media Executives/ Sub Editors/ Any other category based on their area of working, qualification and organisational needs.

The latest amendment states that contracts may be renewed beyond two years for an additional period of one year only (total of three years as Media Executive), for those graded as "Above Expectation" and renewal is to be done only on need basis of the organisation.