"...the government would also consider increasing the coverage area of community radio stations..." That sounds promising."
Why, Sajan? Except for a few places in the country, the population density is so high that imo, it is better to aim for widespread energy efficiency than scattergun reach. We have already had decades of pointless (not all of it is pointless, yet far too much, all the same) 'blanket' coverage with empty content, courtesy the government's own stations. I have shown that, energy efficiency-wise, it is far better to synergise and synthesise the benefits of datanet-backed distributed micro-FM, than to mindlessly pump energy into the air from some central ivory-towered, expensive, exclusive and glossy center. My fear is that, given unlimited coverage, this sector will become much more attractive to pernicious interests. As you will note from my report on the consultation, the government currently operates on the assumption that a 'people's radio', a community radio, is not one that serves a public purpose. Its policies and actions are aimed at affirming this viewpoint. Let Mr Sharma or any other spokesperson of the government walk the talk to show that this impression is wrong. Vickram http://communicall.wordpress.com http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com ________________________________ From: sajan venniyoor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: CR India <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, 28 November, 2008 14:55:03 Subject: [cr-india] "Govt nod to 107 more community FM stations" MoS for Information & Broadcasting, Anand Sharma, spoke at the Economic Editors' Conference <http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45079>on 26 Nov, and here's what he said on community radio: "The Government took a pioneering step to liberalize the community radio policy which was very well received by the civil society organizations and it has served as a powerful tool for rural empowerment and dissemination of information. There are 38 operational community radio stations and another 107 have been given letters of intent by the Ministry." The Asian Age reports<http://203.197.197.71/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/govt-nod-to-107-more-community-fm-stations.aspx>(see below) the Minister as saying that "the government would also consider increasing the coverage area of community radio stations if the setting up of new community radio stations proves successful." That sounds promising. The minister said about commercial FM, "The FM radio industry has witnessed unprecedented growth. The Indian radio industry was revolutionalised (sic) by the introduction of the Phase-II of FM radio policy in 2005. This year, we are in the process of finalization of Phase-III of this policy which shall expand FM radio services to 275 cities across the world (sic). This policy will follow an even more liberal dispensation than before and would promote healthy competition to benefit the masses. We are proposing foreign direct investment upto 49% for non-news channels and upto 26% for news channels. Special incentives would be provided for expansion of coverage to the North Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir and the island territories. We are awaiting the comments from TRAI after which approval of the Cabinet shall be sought." The I&B Ministry's response to TRAI's recommendations on the third phase of FM licensing is available here: http://mib.nic.in/fm/ReferenceTRAI.pdf Sajan -------------------------------------------------------------- Govt nod to 107 more community FM stations BY NITIN MAHAJAN, Asian Age, Nov. 27, 2008 In an effort to reach out to masses through the massive medium of radio, the Central government has granted permission to 107 more community radio stations to begin operations across the country soon. Official sources stated that the expansion of community radio network was in keeping with the government's policy to make communities more aware through such social networks. "These networks can be utilised for creating awareness and social integration. The community radio has the ability to reach the masses with efficiency," state minister of state information and broadcasting Anand Sharma on Thursday. "Presently there are 38 operational community radio stations and another 107 have been given letters of intent by the ministry," the minister added. He said the step to liberalise the community radio policy has been taken due to its good response from society and social organisations. "And it has served as a powerful tool for rural empowerment and dissemination of information," he added. He stated that the government would also consider increasing the coverage area of community radio stations if the setting up of new community radio stations proves successful.
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