[cr-india] Govt may lift ban on private and community radio

[Vinod Pavarala]

Here is a TOI story that the reporter has been pursuing doggedly since the
panel discussion organized by FMP last month in New Delhi. The substance of
the report does not come as a surprise. I am told that BECIL has been given
the task of setting up an elaborate technological structure to monitor FM
content, including setting up back-end support at CR stations to enable
them to upload. As and when the PIL comes up for the hearing next, the
Government is likely to announce this to the Court and suggest that the ban
could be reconsidered once this system was in place. I think we should keep
a close eye on this and not slacken the pressure. Hopefully, the new year
will see a more liberal CR policy regime!

best,
Vinod
=======================================================================================================================================
Govt may lift ban on private and community radio
news<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-may-lift-ban-on-private-and-community-radio-news/articleshow/28415712.cms>Himanshi
Dhawan<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toireporter/author-Himanshi-Dhawan.cms>
,TNN | Jan 5, 2014, 04.31 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The ban on news on private andcommunity
radio<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/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<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/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.
-- 
Dr. Vinod Pavarala
Professor of Communication &
UNESCO Chair on Community Media
Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication
University of Hyderabad
Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046
Phone: +91-40-23135501/23011553
http://www.commuoh.in/
http://www.uccommedia.in/
http://www.communityradioindia.org/
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