Government to open up FM radio

NEW DELHI: Live broadcast of commentaries, information regarding sporting events, traffic and weather can be treated as non-news and non-current affairs programmes, and therefore can be aired by all private FM radio stations, according to the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry.

This is the government’s view on permitting news once the third phase of private FM radio is rolled out, in response to the recent recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

Currently, news and current affairs programming is not permitted on private FM radio stations. Other content that can be permitted on private FM includes coverage of cultural events, examinations, results, admissions, career counselling, and employment opportunities.

Also, private FM stations can broadcast public announcements on civic amenities like electricity, water supply, natural calamities and health alerts as provided by the local administration.

The I&B ministry can specifically allow any other category of broadcast from time to time on private FM radio. Importantly, “opinion of the government as to whether a particular broadcast falls in these exempt categories or not shall be final and binding”.

The ministry has said that “in the absence of a regulatory authority with a localised presence and any arrangement for monitoring private channels and the sensitivities involved”, it is not possible to allow complete freedom to broadcast news. Therefore, the news content can be sourced from authorised agencies — Doordarshan, All India Radio and news agencies like PTI and UNI.
m_nivedita@dnaindia.net