A group representing the leading news channels in the country is opposing a proposal to allow Multi System Operators (MSOs) to collect carriage fees from broadcasters.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is planning to allow MSOs to start charging carriage fees from the broadcasters. The news channels have voiced their opposition and have urged the government to review its decision.

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) said that it is "shocked and dismayed at TRAI's new Notification dated 30.4.12 on digitising cable TV distribution. The Notification has legitimised the very practice the NBA had hoped would be ended, i. e. the payment of steep carriage fees by broadcasters."

TRAI said in its new notification that MSOs will be allowed to charge a uniform carriage fee from all Broadcasters in the country. NBA said that it is opposing the recommendation as the main purpose of the digitisation was to increase the number of channels broadcast.

The NBA said in a statement that the main objective of the digitalization process was to eliminate the carriage fees and allow greater choice to the consumers. The statement added that TRAI's new notification will legalize the carriage fees and will allow the distributors to set the price as per their will that must be paid by all broadcasters.