NBA announces it will change its name to NBDA

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) announced on Friday that it will change its name to the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) to include digital media news broadcasters within its umbrella.

With the inclusion of digital media news broadcasters, the NBA board also decided to rename the News Broadcasting Standard Authority (NBSA), a self-regulatory body established by the NBA 14 years ago, as the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority, as per a statement from the broadcasters body.

The NBA board made the decision to “reflect” the accession of digital media news broadcasters as members, citing how the media landscape has evolved “rapidly” as a result of technological advancement.

Announcing the decision, the NBA president Rajat Sharma said, ”I firmly believe that the NBDA will become a strong collective voice for both the broadcast and digital media.” Along with commercial and regulatory issues, it will also enable the Association to defend the fundamental right of free speech and expression, guaranteed to the media in the Constitution of India, ”in a better manner”, he said.

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”The NBA has decided to bring within its purview digital media news broadcasters. In its new phase, with the inclusion of digital media news broadcasters, the NBA Board has decided to change the name of the body from the NBA to the NBDA,” he said.

The News Broadcasters Association said it consists of the ”nation’s top-rated news channels”, claiming that it ”commands more than 80 per cent of news television viewership” in India.

”The pride of the NBA has been the setting up of an independent self-regulatory body News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) 14 years ago,” it said.

According to the NBSA, it has put in place a “time-tested” complaint redressal structure and process, which is led by distinguished Supreme Court judges and eminent people who have worked to improve broadcasting standards.