AIR Baloch service to start WhatsApp-based service, live streaming to gather better feedback

The news bulletin of All India Radio’s Baloch service is set to be augmented, even as the public broadcaster is in the process of streamlining the usage of social media to gather adequate feedback from the Baloch population on its daily programme.

The development comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech where he targeted Pakistan over its conflict-torn Balochistan province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the condition of people residing there.

A senior minister on Wednesday said the union cabinet has decided to broadcast a news bulletin in the Baloch language for people of the Balochistan province of Pakistan and other areas.

However, AIR sources said its 42-year-old Baloch service already broadcasts a daily, hour-long programme between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm, that includes a news bulletin, review of the Indian press, Balochi music, talks on Indian culture and heritage and status of women in the country. 

“The Baloch service started on May 26, 1974. It is not clear what changes have been proposed to augment the news service. However, a WhatsApp-based service and live streaming of the Baloch service is in the pipeline,” a senior official said, adding that the same is being planned for a few other foreign services too. 

Talking about the response from the Baloch population over the AIR Baloch service, an official said it is not possible to set up a structured radio rating system in Balochistan since it is a province of Pakistan. “Earlier, AIR used to receive bags full of feedback letters from Balochistan. There was a "diplomatic bag" facility which was withdrawn for all services. While the number of letters went down, we still receive emails from people there about the programme,” an official said.

“With strengthening of social media network like WhatsApp-based services, there would hopefully be more responses. The External Services Division of All India Radio already broadcasts daily in 57 transmissions covering over 108 countries in 27 languages," he added.