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About Information Wing

The Information Wing of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is mandated with the task of Information dissemination, education and communication of various Government policies and Programmes through the various media units. It also undertakes the Cadre management of Indian Information Service, Policy formulation and administration, Policy planning and Coordination with various Media Units and Autonomous Institutions of the Ministry.

Information Wing plays a significant role in dissemination of information on key policy initiatives of the Government through various modes of communication and integrating various media campaigns for better outreach and impact. It also formulates necessary policies for facilitating the growth of print media and improving its reach. This endeavour of Information Wing is achieved with the help of the following Media Units under the Ministry:

Bureau of Outreach and Communication

The Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) was created by the Ministry on 08.12.2017 by merging the erstwhile media units of Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP) and Song & Drama Division (S&DD) to have synergy and integrated approach between these organisations; better utilisation of resources and workforce; and to deliver better communication to the masses in every states and every districts. BOC including its Delhi Headquarter consists of 23 Regional Outreach Bureaus (ROBs) and 148 Field Outreach Bureaus (FOBs).

BOC takes care of communication needs of the Ministry/Departments and Government Organisations at Headquarter level and interpersonal communication at Regional and Field level through live media utilizing wide range of performing arts such as Drama, Dance-Drama, Composite programmes, Puppetry, Ballets, Operas, Folk and Traditional Recitals, Mythological Recitals and other Local Folk and Traditional forms, propagating policies and programmes of the Government.

The Bureau of Outreach and Communication undertakes multi-media advertising and publicity for various Ministries and Departments of Government of India through print media, electronic media, digital media, outdoor publicity, live performances and arts etc. BOC acts as a service agency and communicates at grassroots level on behalf of various Central Government Ministries/ Departments.

Website : Bureau of Outreach and Communication

Electronic Media Monitoring Centre

Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) is entrusted with the task of monitoring the content being aired by permitted satellite TV channels for any violation of Programme and Advertising Codes under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995. EMMC is a premier set-up with advanced technologies to monitor, record and analyze broadcast content.

Website : Electronic Media Monitoring Centre

Indian Institute of Mass Communication

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860), came into existence on August 17, 1965. The Institute was established with the basic objective of teaching, training and undertaking research in the areas of journalism, media and mass communication.

Over the last 56 years, the Institute has graduated into conducting a number of specialized courses for meeting the diverse and demanding requirements of the rapidly expanding and changing media industry in modern times. As of today, apart from training officers of the Indian Information Service, the Institute conducts a number of Post-Graduate Diploma Courses in Print Journalism (English, Hindi, Urdu, Odia, Marathi and Malayalam), Radio & T.V. Journalism and Advertising & Public Relations. The Institute also conducts a Post-graduate Diploma Course in Development Journalism for middle-level working journalists from Asian, African, Latin American and East European countries, sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India since 1969, presently under the ITEC, SCAAP and TCS of Colombo Plan Schemes. A number of specialized short-term Courses, ranging from one week to four weeks, are also organized to meet the ever-growing training needs of communication professionals working in various media, publicity and operational outfits of the Central and State Governments, as well as in Public Sector Organizations. The Institute also collaborates with different National and International agencies in conducting training, seminars, workshops etc. and in undertaking joint research projects.

In recent times, mass communication has undergone a paradigm shift and has emerged as a major area of activity greatly impacting the process of decision-making. It has rapidly acquired importance and prominence and has become a major attraction for students pursuing different academic disciplines. The Information Technology revolution sweeping the globe has significantly contributed to the expansion and changing contours of the mass media.

Accordingly, the Institute continuously evaluates and revises its course curricula so as to effectively meet contemporary challenges thrown up by the fast-changing environment. This enables the effectiveness of the Courses being run by the Institute to be maintained, even in the changed scenario.

Through its continuous hard work over the half century of its existence and as a result of its excellent delivery mechanisms, the Institute has consistently retained the reputation of a “Centre of Excellence” in the arena of communication teaching, training and research. It has consistently maintained rank among the top media institutes of the country in various surveys.

Website : Indian Institute of Mass Communication

New Media Wing

New Media Wing (NMW) is an attached office of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It has been established for dissemination of Government’s Initiative/policies through Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s various Social Media platforms i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.

NMW integrates the Government’s profile across different social media platforms. It undertakes tasks relating to integrating communications across social platforms, constructing messages so as to suit socio-economic, cultural, linguistic diversity.

Website : New Media Wing

Press Council of India

The Press Council of India (PCI) is a statutory quasi-judicial autonomous authority mandated by the Parliament for the twin objective of preserving the freedom of the press and maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and the news agencies in India. Press Council of India exercises its quasi-judicial powers over the authorities as well as the press personnel. It comprises of a Chairman and 28 Members. The Chairman, by convention, been a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India, of the 28 members, 20 represent various segments of the Press and eight are representatives of the two Houses of Parliament (3 LokSabha and 2 RajyaSabha) and premier literary and legal bodies of the country i.e. University Grants Commission, Bar Council of India and Sahitya Academy. The Council performs its functions under the Press Council Act, 1978 with the funds comprising of Grants-in-Aid from the Central Government, Levy fee from Newspapers and other receipts.

Website : Press Council of India

Press Information Bureau

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) is the nodal agency of the Government of India to disseminate information to the print, electronic and social media on Government policies, programmes, initiatives and achievements. It functions as an interface between the Government and the media and also provides feedback to the Government on the reaction of people as reflected in the media.

The important functions of PIB are : -

  1. The accreditation of Indian and foreign media representatives,
  2. Press briefings and press conferences,
  3. Feedback to the Government on the press and public reactionson the policies and programme of Government of India,
  4. Organization of press tours to the development projects,
  5. Holding of Vartalaps in regions to have direct interaction with media and citizens
  6. Implementation of Journalist Welfare Scheme
  7. Fact Check Unit (FCU) takes cognizance of fake news and responds with correct information

Photo Division under PIB is mandated to provide visual support through photo coverage of the varied activities of the Government of India. Established in October 1959, it is perhaps the only organization in the country which has a rich repository of about more than 10 lakhs of negatives/ transparencies preserved in digital format, beginning from the Pre-Independence era to the present day. Thus Photo Division plays a significant role in production and storage of still photographs which are of immense historical value. Website: http://photodivision.gov.in

PIB functions as an interface between the Government and the media, advises government on communication strategies best suited to meet the needs of the media and keeps Government informed of public perception about government policies and programmes as reflected in media.

Website : Press Information Bureau

Publications Division

The Publications Division is a treasure trove of Books on matters of national importance and India’s rich cultural heritage. It publishes Books, Journals, Annuals, Periodicals and CDs on subjects like Art, History, Culture, Biographies of eminent people, Flora and Fauna and Science and Technology. Publications Division brings out speeches of the Presidents/ Prime Ministers, Children’s literature - fiction and non-fiction material with broad objective of providing infotainment, spreading awareness about the land, people, heritage, culture and society aiming at inculcating human values and scientific temper among children.

Other major publications include Aajkal (Hindi and Urdu), Bal Bharati (Hindi), Kurukshetra (English and Hindi), Yojana (English, Hindi and 11 other languages), Employment News / RozgarSamachar.

Website : Publications Division

Registrar of Newspapers for India

The Registrar of Newspapers for India is an Attached Office set up under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 for Registration of Newspapers/Periodicals, Issue of Certificate of Registration and Verification of circulation claims of newspapers.

The main statutory functions of RNI include maintaining a Register of newspapers and publications published across the country, issuing Certificate of Registration to newspapers and publications, informing District Magistrates concerned about approval of titles of fresh newspapers and scrutinizing and analyzing the annual statements submitted by the publishers of newspapers and publications. RNI also submits an annual report on the print media scenario in the country, named ‘Press in India’, to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. RNI authenticates self-declaration certificates for import of newsprint to actual users registered with RNI. Apart from these functions, the office also conducts circulation verification of the registered publications, for the purpose of BOC advertisements.

Website : Registrar of Newspapers for India

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