In a major transfer, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has really useful that personal FM radio operators ought to be allowed to broadcast impartial information and present affairs applications. It stated this ought to be restricted to 10 minutes per (clock) hour. To guarantee accountable broadcsting practices, the telecom and broadcast regulator has additionally stated that this system code of conduct relevant to All-India Radio must also be prolonged and utilized to the personal FM stations.
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Currently, personal FM radio operators have the permission to broadcast All India Radio’s information bulletins with none alterations. They are additionally allowed to share info associated to native occasions and native points reminiscent of site visitors blockade, examination updates and utility providers update. Private FM radio firms have been urging authorities to permit them to broadcast impartial information and present affairs bulletins for a while now.
“By extending the scope of news and current affairs programming on private FM radio, the Authority aims to facilitate a comprehensive flow of information and promote the democratisation of media access. It recognises the potential of FM radio to bridge the information gap, particularly in rural areas,” TRAI acknowledged in its suggestions.
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The telecom and broadcast regulator additionally really useful that anual license price ought to be de-linked from Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee (NOTEF). “The license fee should be calculated as four per cent of the Gross Revenue (GR) of the FM radio channel during the respective financial year. GST should be excluded from Gross Revenue (GR),” the regulator’s suggestion added. As per present coverage provisions, operators are required to pay annual license price at 4 per cent of Gross Revenue of its FM radio channel for the monetary 12 months or 2.5 per cent of NOTEF for the involved metropolis, whichever is greater.
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On the difficulty of availability of FM radio recievers on cell handsets, the regulator stated that capabilities or options pertaining to FM radio ought to stay enabled and activated on all cell handsets having the mandatory {hardware}.” Built-in FM radio receiver in cell handset should not be subjected to any type of disablement or deactivation,” it added.
It has additionally stated that Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) ought to arrange a standing Committee, headed by a senior officer of Joint Secretary or above degree, to supervise and monitor the compliance by cell phone producers (or importers). It must also embody key stakeholders such Information & Broadcasting Ministry and consultant of trade our bodies. “An online grievance redressal portal should be provided for submitting information or complaints of case of any noncompliance as regards enablement of FM radio functionality in such mobile handsets that have the necessary functionality for FM receivers,” the regulator added.
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It additionally really useful that the Center “may take appropriate measures to provide relief to the FM radio operators” to handle challenges posed attributable to COVID-19 pandemic.
