The Hindu : I&B Ministry for news on private FM channels?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 18, 2003

National

National

I&B Ministry for news on private FM channels?

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 17. Subject though it is to Cabinet approval, the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry is inclined to allow news on private FM stations, and has, in effect, communicated to the task force — set up to chart the course of the second phase of FM radio — that it was open to wide-ranging changes in the existing policy.

The task force has already discussed the issue. Apparently the majority view within the 10-member body favours news on private FM stations. Since the Government wants to open FM stations in smaller cities in the second phase, some members have raised security concerns of allowing news on private radio stations. With news on radio as of now being the exclusive domain of All-India Radio — which subscribes to a programme code — their fear is that monitoring news on private stations may well be a problem.

The task force recently sought another month's time for finalising its report. Apparently, it wants to post its draft recommendations on the Ministry's website to generate public opinion.

Besides looking into the feasibility of allowing news on private FM stations, the task force has been asked to recommend a transparent and effective bidding/auction process for allotment of frequencies, a viable licence fee for various cities and the extent of foreign equity participation in private FM. It has also been asked to examine the legal implications of making modifications in the licensing regime of Phase-I licencees should a different licence regime be proposed for Phase-II.

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