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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Govt may lift ban on private and community radio news -Himanshi Dhawan

Govt may lift ban on private and community radio news -Himanshi Dhawan

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published Published on Jan 5, 2014   modified Modified on Jan 5, 2014
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: The ban on news on private and community radio channels could be lifted soon. The information & broadcasting ministry is learned to be reconsidering its stand that insists on a government monopoly on radio news.

Commercial and community radio are currently not allowed to broadcast news or current affairs. Ministry sources say the re-think is because of a combination of reasons.

For one, the Supreme Court recently issued a notice to the Centre after NGO Common Cause filed a PIL asking why news was not allowed on private radio channels, necessitating a relook on the matter. The ministry recently allocated about Rs 90 crore for infrastructure to monitor radio stations which could address security establishment concerns.

I&B secretary Bimal Julka said: "We have prepared a concept note and will seek the views of the defence and home affairs ministries. A policy decision will be taken only after that. We will then approach the Cabinet for approval."

The government has so far maintained there is no monitoring mechanism for radio stations making it difficult to keep tab on content. The government has also said NGO-run community radio stations in remote areas faced a security risk and could be used to incite the community.

Both private radio operators and community radio stations say these arguments are specious. They contend there is no precedence of radio stations "inciting crowds" or causing law and order problems. In fact, they could play a useful role in relaying important messages and information in times of distress or emergencies.

I&B sources said the issue of monitoring radio channels was being dealt with. "The ministry has dedicated about Rs 90 crore in the 12th Plan to create infrastructure to monitor radio channels. So this very important concern will be addressed," a senior official said.

Officials also admit that of the country's 750 TV channels only about 300 were monitored by I&B ministry's Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC). So, the excuse that a monitoring mechanism was mandatory was weak.

Times View

Opening up news broadcasting to private and community radio channels is the logical thing to do. When private TV channels are allowed to do so, what sense does it make to bar radio channels from also doing the same? Even today, radio has access to certain segments that satellite TV does not quite reach.

Continuing to ban news on private radio channels can only mean that governments do not want these sections to gain access to news and information not controlled by them. At a time when transparency and open access to information is the mantra in all other spheres, this is a jarring exception, one that should end, the sooner the better.


The Times of India, 5 January, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-may-lift-ban-on-private-and-community-radio-news/articleshow/28415712.cms


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