The Hindu Business Line : TRAI seeks industry views on community radio licensing

THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sought industry's views on whether a separate licensing authority needs to be set up for granting community radio licences. Releasing a consultation paper on Wednesday on community radio services, TRAI said comments of all stakeholders should reach it by September 15 on issues deliberated in the paper.

TRAI has also raised the issue of whether commercial advertising should be permitted on this network and if the ban on broadcast of news and current affairs programmes should continue.

Also, it has sought the opinion of stakeholders on whether the existing guidelines need to be revised, especially with regard to religious programmes.

The paper also touches upon other issues such as the rationale for having a community radio service, the present framework and progress of the scheme, issues relating to eligibility of licensees, the entire licensing process, funding of community radio stations and regulation and monitoring of these stations.

TRAI said community radio can serve as a platform for the local community and help focus on the day-to-day concerns of citizens.

In December 2002, the Government announced the policy for the grant of licence to educational institutions for running community radio stations with certain guidelines. However, at present only one community radio station is operational.

The period for which licence should be granted and whether community radio stations should be allowed to accept foreign funds have also been put up for discussion by TRAI.

TRAI had released a consultation paper on issues relating to the second phase of private FM radio broadcasting in April this year. It received a number of responses relating to issues on the need for expansion of community radio. During the open house discussions on the consultation paper also, a number of stakeholders raised the issue of community radio, prompting TRAI to release a separate paper on Community Radio on Wednesday.

More Stories on : Radio/TV | Regulatory Bodies & Rulings

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page