Noted lyricist, writer and communications expert Prasoon Joshi has been appointed as the chairman of Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) announced Saturday. Joshi is also serving as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Mumbai since August 2017.
This is possibly the first time that an individual has been appointed to both the offices by the I&B ministry. Meanwhile, sources in the government said a new CBFC chairperson is set to be appointed soon. The position of Prasar Bharati chairman was lying vacant since December 2025, when former bureaucrat Navneet Sehgal resigned from the post.
The statement said, “Joshi, a distinguished creative professional with wide-ranging contributions across literature, advertising, cinema, and public communication, and known for his impactful writing and deep cultural sensibility, has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Indian media narratives.”
Congratulating Joshi on his appointment, Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Prasoon is a rare creative spirit celebrated across the world…yet his heart beats unmistakably for India. His words carry the fragrance of our soil, and his vision reflects the timeless essence of our culture. Under his stewardship, Prasar Bharati will discover renewed energy, deeper purpose, and a fresh creative voice.”
During his tenure at the CBFC, Joshi has also courted controversy. In 2019, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had sought his resignation over allegedly giving preferential treatment to the makers of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There have been some allegations of corruption against the CBFC, as well.
Earlier, Joshi had also served as CEO, McCann World Group India, and chairman, McCann World Group Asia Pacific, which is a subsidiary of McCann Erickson. Joshi is also one of the Trustees of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts since 2016.
Established under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, and operational since 1997, Prasar Bharati is India’s statutory autonomous public service broadcaster. It comprises two major divisions, the All India Radio — one of the world’s largest radio networks; and Doordarshan (DD) — India’s national television broadcaster.
– With inputs from PTI
