3. Introductio
n
The government constituted a
committee known as Verghese
committee on 17 August 1977.
This committees main recommendation
was formation of Akash Bharti or the
National Broadcasting Trust, both for:
AIR and Doordarshan.
The chairman of this committee
was an eminent journalist B.G. Verghese.
4. Observations
The committee noted that the people want
an independent corporation because, the
executive, abetted by a captive parliament,
shamelessly misused the Broadcasting
during emergency and this must be
prevented for all times.
5. Reasons behind
formation of the
Committee
The opposition parties were demanding constantly that AIR and
Doordarshan should be made free from government control.
But the government never agreed.
Indira Gandhi (then P.M.) said that AIR is a government organization and
it will be made use of & for government purposes.
In 1977, Janta Party the first non-congress government at the center
formed.
It was committed to give autonomy to the powerful media of AIR and DD.
6. Recommendations
Establish a national broadcasting trust by an act of parliament.
Establish a board with the name of AKASHBHARTI.
Board have 1 chairman + 11 member.
Chairman and three members should be permanent.
President, Lokpal and Chief Justice of Supreme Court will select the chairman and their members.
Separation of AIR and DD.
It will be autonomous body.
7. Final Outcome
The committee submitted their report on 24 Feb
1978.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha but
before the passage of the bill the government fell.