Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Tuesday launched 'Sharing of All India Radio News with Private FM broadcasters' in New Delhi. Private FM channels can now carry All India Radio News free of cost on trial basis up to 31st May this year. News Services Division of All India Radio has permitted its news bulletins in English and Hindi to be carried in unaltered form by Private FM Channels as per certain terms and conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rathore said it is a matter of happiness that a common citizen can now listen to the news on any FM channel. He said an aware citizen is an empowered citizen and added that this step is a collaborative effort of bringing together all the Radio Stations of India to inform, educate and empower people.
On the occasion, in an exclusive talk with AlR News, Chairman Prasar Bharti Dr A Suryaprakash hailed it as a historic moment.Mr Suryaprakash also highlighted the role of Public Service Broadcaster in taking the Governments schemes to the beneficiaries.
Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati has said that nearly one hundred private FM radio stations have registered to carry All India Radio News bulletins. President, Association of Radio Operators of India, Anuradha Prasad thanked the government for accepting the long-standing demand of private radio broadcasters to present news on their platform.
Director General (News) of All India Radio, Ira Joshi termed the move as historic and path-breaking.
Any private FM broadcaster who intends to broadcast the news bulletins will first register with All India Radio news. Details on registration and technical parameters are available on the website - newsonair.nic.in.
The commercials which are broadcast during news bulletins have to be carried along with news in too. The registered broadcasters will give due credit to AIR for sourcing their news. They will be allowed to carry AIR news bulletin either simultaneously or deferred live, by not more than 30 minutes. The news bulletins of AIR are currently carried through the terrestrial mode and are also available on the DTH platform including DD Free Dish, which is free to air. Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Amit Khare, Director General of AIR F. Sheheryar and other senior dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Source:-News Services Division ,All India Radio.