Dr Murugan says the Union Cabinet has recently approved the establishment of 730 new private radio channels in 234 new cities

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, has said that broadcasters have a big responsibility to provide correct information and quality content to the public. Addressing a symposium on Emerging Trends and Technologies in the Broadcasting Sector organized at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi yesterday, 

Dr Murugan underscored the transformative power of broadcasting and the importance of embracing new technologies for a connected future. He said the Union Cabinet has recently approved the establishment of 730 new private radio channels in 234 new cities. Dr Murugan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to using technological advancements to strengthen the broadcasting sector’s role in economic growth and ensure access to high-quality media content for all. He also called for special attention to the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector to promote content production in India through a streamlined single-window system to enhance ease of doing



business.

Speaking at the symposium, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju highlighted the critical role of regulatory innovation in the broadcasting sector and the importance of staying ahead of emerging technologies. He also mentioned Prasar Bharati’s Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting initiative, which will enable content or live TV to be broadcast on mobile devices without an active internet connection. Mr. Jaju emphasized the potential of digital radio as an affordable mass communication tool that optimizes spectrum use and delivers better sound quality.

TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti emphasized technology and regulation’s transformative role in broadcasting’s future, noting the media and entertainment sector’s growth is projected to exceed three trillion rupees by 2026. In an exclusive interview with Akashvani News, Chief Business Development Manager at Fraunhofer IIS Alexander Zink said that the digitization of radio will benefit all.