In broad sense the word ‘Information’ is not to be taken as limited to news broadcasting or informative materials. Rather it is to be understood encompassing all matters that is intended to be recorded electronically , weather it is to be correspondence , government documents ,legal instruments ,private exchange of news and views or any other matter which emanates from man and is transformed into machine-recorded data.

If you are student or associate with media and  film industry,  want to know the functions, powers of Information & broadcasting ministry (Govt . of India) then this article is for you.

Shri. Prakash Javadekar (Minister of Information and broadcasting)

Shri Amit Khare (Secretary of Information and broadcasting Ministry).

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is the first minister of this ministry after Independence.

The Information and broadcasting ministry is one the most important ministry of Union Government .This ministry represent the government to reach out to public directly. This ministry is entrusted with a responsibility to spread the information about the government policies ,schemes , and program through the mass communication such as dance, drama, singing shows, folks and the Indian culture etc. [1] On the public service broadcasting  sphere , the ministry overview matter relating to All India Radio and Doordarshan by recognized national and regional political parties during election to lok shaba and state assemblies and procedure to be followed by official electronics media during periods of national mourning on the demise of the high dignity.

[2]The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is functionally organized into three wings (i) Information Wing, (ii) Broadcasting Wing and (iii) Films Wing.

Information-Wing
The Information Wing is in charge of the presentation and interpretation of the policies and activities of the Government of India through the medium of the print, electronic and digital media, framing of policy guidelines for rate fixation of government advertisements on print; electronic; and online platform, administering of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, the Press Council Act, 1978 and allocation of newsprint to Newspapers. Besides, it is the administrative wing for the Media Units namely, Press Information Bureau; Bureau of Outreach and Communication-[Directorate of Audio & Visual Publicity; Song & Drama Division; Directorate of Field Publicity]; Publications Division; Registrar of Newspapers for India; Photo Division; Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Cadre management of the Indian Information Service (Groups ‘A’ & ‘B’)etc.

Broadcasting-Wing
The Broadcasting Wing by administering the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 takes care of the affairs of All India Radio and Doordarshan including matters related to development of radio and television broadcasting throughout the Union, installation and maintenance of Radio Stations, Transmitters, operation of television Programme Production Centres etc.

The Broadcasting Wing of the Ministry also regulates the content of private satellite channels and network of multi system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) through the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and Policy Guidelines issued time to time. The private FM radio network is regulated by the Ministry through auctioning of FM channels, operationalization of Community Radio Stations in rural and remote areas to provide access and voice to marginalized communities, etc.

Films-Wing
The Films Wing of the Ministry administers the Cinematograph Act, 1952 which looks into certification of films for public exhibition, import of films for theatrical and non-theatrical viewing, export of Indian films, import of unexposed cinematograph films and various types of equipment required by the film industry, all matters relating to film industry, including developmental and promotional activities thereto, promotion of good cinema by institution of State awards for films produced in India and assistance through the National Film Development Corporation Limited, production and distribution of documentaries and newsreels and other films and film strips for internal and external publicity, preservation of films and filmic materials, organization of International Film Festivals in India and participation of India in International Film Festivals abroad, organization of Film Festivals under Cultural Exchange Programmes etc.

The three Wings in the Ministry are assisted and supported in its activities by 11 Attached & Subordinate offices, 5 Autonomous Organizations, 2 Statutory Bodies and 2 Public Sector Undertakings.[3]

Attached and subordinate Organization

1.    Press Information Bureau.

2.    Bureau of outreach & Communication.

3.    Publication Division.

4.    Office of register of newspaper of India.

5.    Central Board of film certificate.

6.    Films Division

7.    Directorates of Films Festivals

8.    Photos Division

9.    Electronic Media Monitoring Centre(EMMC)

10. National film Archives of India.

11. New Media wings.

Autonomous Organisation

1.    Prasar Bharati (a)All India Radio (b)Doordarshan

2.    Film and television institute of India , Pune

3.    Satyajit Ray Film and television Institute ,Kolkata

4.    Children’s film society of India

5.    India Institute of mass communication.

Statutory Bodies

1.    Press council of India

2.    Film certificate appellate tribunal.

Public Sectors Undertakings

1.    National film development corporation limited(NFDC).

2.    Broadcast Engineering consultant (India)Limited(BECIL).

This ministry creates a sustainable environment for the growth of media and film industry and spreading the information of all government policies, program and achievements.

To promote, develop the broadcasting industries in India and upgrade public broadcasting sectors. Presently  this ministry also participate in Make in India project and they are promote the animation ,VFX and gaming sector utilizing the comparative advantage in India.

Ministry also helps to expand infrastructure support and create options for young talents to join in the fields of print and electronic media, films and show their protential.

Promote good cinemas ,musics and propagate film culture through film festivals & celebrations.

In the year 2019-20  government allocate Rs 4361.67 crores to Information and broadcasting ministry .

One more important part is there ,to communicate information technology play vital role.

All information, broadcasting ,films, electronics media connects with Information technology Act 2000.