[cr-india] Fwd: [india-gii] Second `radio revolution' coming

[Vickram Crishna]

The news item is off by a few points, since at launch there were 28 
private radio channels and following some closures I understand the 
operating number now stands at 22 only.

As has been pointed out before, simply starting 400 more stations 
(over and above the current 100 plus - I haven't looked it up but I 
think it was around 138 or so) FM channels will not bring in quality 
programming or an improved attitude among radio professionals. If 
anything, it has every possibility to further vitiate the atmosphere 
for public service broadcasting.

Mr Reddy obviously does not have a correct picture about terrain 
limited radio frequencies - why does he think 400 more stations will 
cover 'most of the rural areas'? This is not the pampas or the 
steppes so that a masterblaster station will just keep going. 
Powerful stations cost humongous amounts to set up. Has the budget 
made provisions for such an expansion? Does AIR have the personnel 
available to operate so many new stations?

As for CR, has there been any dialogue attempted after the TRAI 
non-starter? In what way will the guidelines be altered now?

As for the writer's comment (from another list) about resources, he 
is correct to harbor doubts, but it is chicken and egg - let the 
channels get a chance to start up and there will be demand for 
capacity building.

>AIR is to blast 400 FM? Minister promises simplified guidelines for
>groups who want to have their radio. Right now exemptions seems to be
>education institution, but are our Institutes have resources to build
>a meaningful Community Radios?
>
>regards
>sashi
>
>http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/30/stories/2004073010520800.htm
>
>Second `radio revolution' coming
>
>By Our Staff Reporter
>
>HYDERABAD, JULY 29. The country will see a second `radio revolution'
>before the end of the year when the Ministry of Information and
>Broadcasting and All India Radio (AIR) go ahead with expansion plans
>providing for 400 more FM (Frequency Modulation) channels. Currently,
>there are only 30 FM channels in the private sector.
>
>At a press conference, the Union Minister, S. Jaipal Reddy, said here
>today that the FM radio expansion apart, the Government was looking at
>having roughly 5,000 Community Radio (CR) networks. This would be
>possible through a restructure in policy and simplifying guidelines,
>he said, adding that the sky would be limit now for educational
>institutions to have CR programming.
>
>Having CR programmes would work directly at reducing communal, social
>and linguistic imbalances currently plaguing the country, he said.
>Asked about the investment, he said that while AIR would handle the FM
>radio channel expansion plans, the investment required for CR
>programming was not much and that society today was ready to handle
>the radio revolution.
>
>Mr. Jaipal Reddy said that currently the FM services of AIR served 30
>per cent of the Indian population. The target for coverage by the end
>of the current five-year plan was 50 per cent, he said. He said as
>things stood, FM radio services were restricted only to the urban
>areas, but added that the expansion would bring most of the rural
>areas into the transmission reach.
><snip>

-- 
Vickram