MUMBAI: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has requested a video conference meeting with union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar to discuss a 'comprehensive stimulus package’ for news broadcasters' to overcome the impact of the economic and financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Said an official statement of the federation, “The NBF in its letter has sought an appointment with I&B minister for an e-meeting through video-conference, during this week as per his convenience and availability to bring to attention about the most pressing issues the industry is facing due to lockdown for combating the spread of COVID-19.”

NBF is an association representing the combined interests of 300 TV news channels. The agenda of the meeting is to discuss and resolve the extraordinary situation the members of NBF are facing due to the lockdown while discharging the service to the society, reads the statement.

The issues that would be discussed with the minister during the e-meeting are: satellite and bandwidth charges, Prasar Bharti and DD Freedish, DAVP pending payments, unrestricted availability of FTS new channels, governmental support and liquidity issues.

The NBF delegation comprises president Arnab Goswami, vice-president Jaggi Mangat Panda, vice-president Shankar Bala, vice-president Sanjivie Narain, vice-president Kartikeya Sharma, and vice-president Riniki B Sharma, among others.