Renowned lyricist Prasoon Joshi becomes Chairman of Prasar Bharati, appointed by Central Government

New Delhi, 3 May. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has appointed eminent lyricist, writer and communication expert Prasun Joshi as the Chairman of India’s public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati. Prasoon Joshi is a distinguished creative professional with wide-ranging contributions to the fields of literature, advertising, cinema and public communication. Known for his influential writing and keen cultural sensitivity, Prasun Joshi has played an important role in shaping the direction of contemporary Indian media. His work includes acclaimed film songs, advertising campaigns and socially relevant stories that connect with diverse audiences across the country.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnav said, “My hearty congratulations to Prasun Joshi on the appointment of Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board. Prasun Joshi is a prodigious creative talent who is appreciated globally in the worlds of advertising, literature, art and cinema, yet his heart beats for India. His words have the fragrance of our soil and his vision reflects the timeless essence of our culture. Under his leadership, Prasar Bharati will find new energy, deeper purpose and a new creative voice. My heartiest wishes for his upcoming tenure.”

Prior to this appointment, Prasoon Joshi served as the Chairman of the Mumbai-based Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since August 2017, where he contributed to strengthening film certification processes by engaging with film industry stakeholders. His tenure at CBFC reflects a balanced approach towards creative expression and regulatory accountability. Prior to this, he has also been the CEO of McCann World Group India and Chairman of McCann World Group Asia Pacific (a subsidiary of McCann Ericsson). He is one of the trustees of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts since 2016.

With his extensive experience in the creative industries and public communications, Joshi is expected to bring a unique perspective to the leadership of Prasar Bharati. At a time when public broadcasting is facing rapid technological change and changing audience expectations. Let us tell you that established under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 and functioning since 1997, Prasar Bharati is the statutory autonomous public service broadcaster of India.

It has two main departments. All India Radio (AIR) is one of the world’s largest radio networks, reaching millions of listeners across urban and rural India in multiple languages ​​and dialects. Second Doordarshan (DD) is the national television broadcaster of India, which offers a wide range of programs including news, education, entertainment and cultural content.

Prasar Bharati has also launched Waves OTT platform to strengthen free-to-air OTT services to promote the spirit of public broadcasting. Prasar Bharati plays an important role in dissemination of information, promotion of national integration, preservation of cultural heritage and ensuring access to reliable public broadcasting services across the country. With its vast terrestrial and digital networks, it continues to expand its reach through digital platforms, DTH services and archival initiatives.