Prasar Bharati, which oversees Doordarshan and All India Radio, has long been designated as India's public service broadcaster. However, recent critical analysis, notably from The Hindu, argues that the institution has drifted away from the core principles of public service broadcasting. The core of this argument is that a true public service broadcaster should maintain editorial independence from the government of the day, focusing on objective information and diverse public discourse rather than state-aligned messaging.

Critics contend that the current operational structure and content output of Prasar Bharati reflect a shift toward serving the interests of the ruling administration. This perspective suggests that the broadcaster has failed to provide the neutral, balanced platform required to fulfill its mandate as a public institution. Conversely, supporters of the current model often emphasize the broadcaster's role in national integration and its reach into rural areas that commercial media may overlook. While the legal framework defines Prasar Bharati as an autonomous body, the debate highlights a persistent tension between its statutory independence and its practical application. The disagreement remains focused on whether the broadcaster acts as a voice for the public or as a tool for state policy, with little consensus on how to measure its independence effectively.