The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) today launched the Transparent Empanelment, Media Planning and eBilling System (TEMPEST) for the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC). The system, said the MIB, will revolutionise the media and communication solutions for ministries, departments, PSUs and autonomous bodies.  

The new system of CBC is designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in media planning processes, and provide an end-to-end ERP solution for the media industry for doing business in a paperless and faceless environment, MIB said.

The digitisation of media planning and advertising processes will help streamline processes during elections via an online system for empanelment of newspaper, periodicals, TV, Radio and digital media. This will ensure transparency and efficiency further on as well, it said.

Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ministry, shared, “This portal will ensure transparency in media planning, minimise human interface, and streamline the administrative tasks related to media campaigns for both clients and the CBC officials. The Transparent Empanelment also ensures equitable opportunities for all partners and promotes ease of doing business.”

Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of I&B, shared that the launch of Transparent Empanelment, Media Planning and eBilling System is almost like an enterprise resource planning software for them. This also would primarily help CBC to ensure that the work that they do with the outside world, in terms of providing comprehensive media and communication solutions, would get further strengthened.

“It will also be an end-to-end solution which will facilitate a complete, paperless and safe environment for all those who are engaging with CBC. This will go a long way in following the interest and providing ease of doing media business,” he said.

This initiative benefits over 7000 newspapers, magazines, approximately 550 TV channels, around 388 private FM channels and 360 community radio stations facilitating simplified advertising with the Indian government and future engagements with new media platforms, added the minister. 

It will also help enhance tools and features for online generation of media plans with minimal manual intervention, resulting in drastic reduction in time in preparing the media plan.

According to the ministry, the portal is integrated with the latest technology to assist in making real-time analytical reports and enable organisations to take data-driven decisions. Additionally, integration of an eBilling processing system will help facilitate a seamless and transparent bill submission, verification and payment. 

A comprehensive mobile app has also been made for partners with tamper proof timestamp and geo-tagging functionality for organised monitoring. A dedicated IVR has been along with a support team stationed at CBC with helpline numbers to provide quick query and issue resolution services for clients and partners.

“This online transparent system will ensure faster empanelment, hassle-free business environment, automated compliance and swifter payment thereby significantly increasing the ease of doing business,” said the ministry in a press statement.

Other three portals that were launched today are Press Sewa portal for automation of the process for newspaper registration designed under the PRP Act 2023, NaViGate Bharat portal which hosts videos on the entire gamut of Government’s development-related and citizen welfare-oriented measures, and National Register for Local Cable Operators (LCOs) to bring registration of LCOs under a Centralised Registration System.

On the launch of all four portals, Jaju believes all these initiatives will ensure that the government fosters not just transparency and innovation, but at the same time help improve the functioning of the department so that engagement with all of you becomes smoother and efficient and effective.

The Central Government’s expenditure on print and electronic media advertisements was at Rs 375.61 crore in FY23, the highest in the last three financial years. This number is set to multiply exponentially during the upcoming elections.