TRAI releases recommendations on 'Issues related to FM Radio Broadcasting'

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, TRAI has released recommendations on “Issues related to FM Radio Broadcasting”. TRAI has recommended that Private FM Radio Operators should be allowed to broadcast news and current affairs programmes, limited to ten minutes at each clock hour. It further recommended that the programme code of conduct as applicable to Akashvani for news content may also be applied to Private FM Radio channels. 

It said the annual license fee of an FM radio channel should be de-linked from the Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee. The full text of the Recommendations is available on TRAI’s



website 

www.trai.gov.in

 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sought recommendations from the Authority last year on removing linkage to the Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee and extending the existing FM license period of 15 years by three years. A consultation paper was issued on the 9th of February this year seeking comments from the stakeholders on the issues related to FM Radio Broadcasting. 

After considering all comments and counter-comments received from stakeholders during the consultation process and further analysis of the issues, the Authority has finalised its recommendations.