The Government of India through its broadcasting unit, Prasar Bharati, has announced its plans to set up a global digital news platform to counter the ‘anti-India’ narrative, reports Press Trust of India.

Unlike All India Radio and Doordarshan, this digital platform will cater to international audiences. The committee headed by Prasar Bharati Chairman, A Surya Prakash intends to focus on South Asia, North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, China and Asia-Pacific with the platform. The reports added that the committee that approved the platform also included Rajeev Singh (acting CEO of Prasar Bharati), board members Shashi Shekhar Vempati and Sunil Alagh, R Jagannathan, (journalist and director at Swarajya Magazine), academician Vamsee Juluri, and Ritesh Bawri, a ‘management expert’.

“India is the fastest growing economy and there have been extraordinary steps taken in the area of governance. These can act as a template for many governments. But the western media portrays a picture as if it is a conflict zone which is absolutely bogus. We need to set it right,” said Prakash speaking to PTI.

According to Indiantelevision.com, this platform will focus on changing the narrative that presents India as a “constant point of conflict between Hindu nationalists and so-called secularism.” This 24×7 platform will have correspondents around the world.

The new digital body will be registered under the Companies Act with an annual operating cost of Rs. 75 crores.The panel has also suggested that the platform will have programmes including talent shows, quizzes, travel, adventure, apps and even humour-based shows with the ‘flagship programmes’ hosted by popular anchors. Though the platform would initially be in English, it plans to also have a Spanish and Chinese desk to reach a larger audience.

It appears that the platform will also be available as a mobile app and be present on YouTube and plans to reach 10 million to 100 million page views in the next three years along with a million mobile app downloads and YouTube subscribers each.