Mumbai: News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) and the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which represent almost all the national and regional news channels of the country, have decided not to participate in the ongoing DD Free Dish MPEG-2 e-auction.

In a letter to I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, NBF and NBDA stated that the auction procedure was skewed against all news and current affairs channels.

"Not only are fewer slots available, but because of the way the auction has been structured, we are placed in a relative disadvantage vis a vis other genres," read the letter.

The letter also highlighted the absence of a scientific basis to calculate the number of viewers under DDFD.

"We believe that this is likely to make the cost of bidding for slots on Free Dish prohibitive for us and against our common interest. Towards resolving this, we are urgently seeking time to meet you and any Prasar Bharati officials as you may deem appropriate at the earliest."

The statement also said that till the matter is resolved both NBF and NBDA will not be able to participate in the ongoing bidding for the news category.