Low range radio stations may broadcast local news, ads

Televisionpoint.com Team
The Information & Broadcasting Ministry made a clear intention to allow the low-range radio stations to broadcast local news and ads. The Community Radio of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Apna Radio – AR 1, became operational on Friday.

Inaugurating it, S. Jaipal Reddy, I&B minister said that the Government is serious in ensuring that Community Radio Stations in the country are viable propositions and continue to function and flourish. For a small payment, the advertisers can reach out to the clientele and in the process give competition to cable operator’s network.

To this end, the upcoming Community Radio Stations may be permitted local advertising and local nonpolitical news. MR Reddy said these stations can be developed as an alternate broadcasting arrangement as they are the most adequate instruments to reach the communication Upto the local community. The Community Radio strides to democratize communication, he added.

The Minister said that the Government is trying to simplify and rationalize the procedure for setting up of such stations so that the huge potential can be vastly utilized. MR Reddy felt that the triviliasation of important news / happenings by the TV channels and private radio operators can be overcome through Community Radio by providing quality content.

S.K. Arora, Secretary, Information & Broadcasting, in his address said that till a few months back, only one Community Radio Station was operational. The number has now gone Upto a dozen and another 29 proposals are in the pipeline. He said, in the first phase, educational institutions have been given priority but they are also required to look at the views, and needs of the community around the station so that their interests and local communication requirements are addressed to.

In his welcome address, P.K. Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of I&B and Director, IIMC said that the Community Radio gives reflection to the diversity of our country and it would enable the ordinary person to express their opinion on issues which actually concern them.

Apna Radio - AR1 is available on FM 96.9 MHz frequency. Set up at a cost of RS 15.6 lakhs, it would cover the area within a radius of 8 kms. It would integrate the semi urban/rural pockets in the plush South Delhi into mainstream of urban life, like Munirka, Ber Sarai, Vasant Gaon and Mehrauli. The station will broadcast for a few hours during the week and the programme will be anchored by the IIMC students and produced by them. The content will have student development and education as its theme. The programme will be interactive and field based aimed at involving the community in finding solutions to issues and support for developmental work.