Narendra Modi's radio address on October 3 may dominate broadcasting space

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first radio address, to be carried on October 3 on All India Radio, may dominate the entire broadcasting space as audio and visuals could be provided to all FM and community radio stations as well as news and current affairs TV channels. Officials said the programme titled 'Man ki Baat' may be recorded on October 2 by All India Radio's staff.

The programme will be broadcast on the entire AIR network at 11 am on October 3 while Doordarshan is planning to carry the contents of the programme along with suitable footage, they said. Sources also said the public service broadcasters are planning to provide free of cost the audio feed as well as visuals to all private radio channels as well as news and current affairs channels which express interest free of cost so that they can also carry it.

They said it is hoped the Prime Minister's 'Man ki Baat' should reach the maximum number of people in the country. A senior official said that after recording of the Prime Minister's address, the All India Radio (AIR) will prepare a transcript which will then be translated in regional languages. The AIR would on the evening of October 3 repeat the telecast in regional languages on its regional channels, the official said.
When contacted, AIR DG F Sheheryar said it was a "great encouragement" that the Prime Minister had chosen the public service broadcaster.

A senior Doordarshan official said they were considering to how best to telecast the event. Officials said people who are interested in conveying their thoughts, ideas or questions to the Prime Minister should do it through the Mygov website. The Prime Minister, they said, is expected to respond to some of the feedback received from people on the website.