BBC India completes restructure with launch of Collective Newsroom

BBC's India operations comply with FDI rules, launching Collective Newsroom to provide language-based content independently.

The BBC’s restructuring of its India operations to comply with the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) rules was completed on Wednesday with the launch of Collective Newsroom, an independent entity with the U.K.-based public broadcaster as its first client.

The Indian-owned company replaces BBC World Service India to continue to provide language-based content. As part of the restructuring, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will retain its newsgathering team in India for its English language digital, television and radio outlets headquartered in London.

The move follows the BBC premises in India facing “surveys” by tax authorities and an ensuing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over alleged FDI violations earlier in 2023.

“I’m thrilled that Collective Newsroom has officially launched with a clear, ambitious mission to create the most credible, creative and courageous journalism, and with a wealth of experience and talent in our incredible teams,” said Rupa Jha, CEO, Collective Newsroom.

“Audiences will quickly come to know Collective Newsroom as an independent news organisation that leads with the facts, works in the public interest and hears from diverse voices and perspectives,” she said.

The new entity, announced in December last year, said it would create programmes and content for the BBC as its first client but is available to make content for other news providers across India and around the globe.

ALSO READ | Brazen intimidation: On the tax survey on the BBC