[cr-india] "Govt nod to 107 more community FM stations"

[sajan venniyoor]

MoS for Information & Broadcasting, Anand Sharma, spoke at the Economic
Editors' Conference
<http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45079>on 26 Nov, and
here's what he said on community radio:



"The Government took a pioneering step to liberalize the community radio
policy which was very well received by the civil society organizations and
it has served as a powerful tool for rural empowerment and dissemination of
information. There are 38 operational community radio stations and another
107 have been given letters of intent by the Ministry."



The Asian Age reports<http://203.197.197.71/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/govt-nod-to-107-more-community-fm-stations.aspx>(see
below) the Minister as saying that "the government would also consider
increasing the coverage area of community radio stations if the setting up
of new community radio stations proves successful." That sounds promising.



The minister said about commercial FM, "The FM radio industry has witnessed
unprecedented growth. The Indian radio industry was revolutionalised (sic)
by the introduction of the Phase-II of FM radio policy in 2005. This year,
we are in the process of finalization of Phase-III of this policy which
shall expand FM radio services to 275 cities across the world (sic). This
policy will follow an even more liberal dispensation than before and would
promote healthy competition to benefit the masses. We are proposing foreign
direct investment upto 49% for non-news channels and upto 26% for news
channels. Special incentives would be provided for expansion of coverage to
the North Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir and the island territories. We are
awaiting the comments from TRAI after which approval of the Cabinet shall be
sought."



The I&B Ministry's response to TRAI's recommendations on the third phase of
FM licensing is available here: http://mib.nic.in/fm/ReferenceTRAI.pdf



Sajan

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Govt nod to 107 more community FM stations

BY NITIN MAHAJAN, Asian Age, Nov. 27, 2008



In an effort to reach out to masses through the massive medium of radio, the
Central government has granted permission to 107 more community radio
stations to begin operations across the country soon.



Official sources stated that the expansion of community radio network was in
keeping with the government's policy to make communities more aware through
such social networks.



"These networks can be utilised for creating awareness and social
integration. The community radio has the ability to reach the masses with
efficiency," state minister of state information and broadcasting Anand
Sharma on Thursday.



"Presently there are 38 operational community radio stations and another 107
have been given letters of intent by the ministry," the minister added.



He said the step to liberalise the community radio policy has been taken due
to its good response from society and social organisations.



"And it has served as a powerful tool for rural empowerment and
dissemination of information," he added.



He stated that the government would also consider increasing the coverage
area of community radio stations if the setting up of new community radio
stations proves successful.
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