@ksh@T 20 Report post Posted October 2, 2008 Source: Daily News & Analysis NEW DELHI: A decision to permit news in private FM radio stations may be taken by the government around end of this year, almost three years after the Prime Minister’s Information, Communication and Entertainment Committee okayed the proposal. Sources said only reading of news put out by Doordarshan, All India Radio and accredited local and international newswire agencies will be allowed. While news is allowed in private television channels, FM radio stations can only broadcast entertainment and music content. News is however allowed on All India Radio (AIR). Top I&B officials were not available for comment. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), which regulates both telecom and media sectors, had earlier this year recommended news in private FM radio, with some restrictions. It is likely that the information and broadcasting (I& ministry may accept the Trai recommendation on the matter. But, a view on allowing news and current affairs in private FM will have to be taken by the Union Cabinet. If the government goes with the Trai recommendation, private FM radio stations would be able to access news content from select sources. In September, the Union Cabinet had taken the decision to allow FM broadcasters to set up subsidiaries and demerge their businesses. The radio industry had called it a welcome step and had said that allowing news may be the next move. Also, even as the industry had expected relaxation on the ceiling in foreign investment in FM radio, it continues at 20%. The I&B ministry had several months ago decided to rationalise the foreign investment cap across media segments. But, inter-ministerial consultation on the matter is still not completed. Perhaps, by the end of this year, FDI ceiling across many media segments, including FM radio and direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, may be increased. Private FM radio players have been seeking reforms in the sector for financial viability and diversity in content to be able to reach out to all categories of audience. The regulator had observed in its recommendation earlier this year that, “one of the barriers for further growth identified by the Authority during the consultation process relates to the restriction of existing guidelines that do not permit news and current affairs on FM radio broadcast.” Trai had added that “information requirements of large section of unserved population and those who lack access to information through other means like internet, television services, etc can be conveniently met without any cost to the receiving population only through FM radio services.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spknair 1 Report post Posted October 2, 2008 All malayalam FM stations are already giving us up to date local and national news by many programs, not in the name of news Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
