Pl see TRAI recommendation on broadcasting below. To quote. The broadcasting needs of the State governments, if any, should be met adequately by Prasar Bharati, TRAI said. This is significant in light of state governments trying to appropriate community radio for their broadcasting needs. Though Id like to see some plurality even in state sponsored public interest broadcast. But the lines should be clearly drawn, vis-à-vis community radio. I think the CR Forum should invite TRAIs attention to this issue. Parminder http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov142008/national20081113100683.asp If Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) were to have its way, there wont be any political channels or religious channels in the country within a couple of years. State governments and their subsidiary bodies, political and religious associations cant broadcast any channel or involve in distribution. TRAI in a reply to the governments question, whether entering of such bodies is in the interest of broadcasting sector and the larger public good, made some recommendations on Wednesday. The broadcasting needs of the State governments, if any, should be met adequately by Prasar Bharati, TRAI said. It also recommended that the political parties shouldnt be allowed to broadcast any channel. It however added that, in the spirit of democracy, to keep the information flow channels can provide reasonable access to recognised political parties during the run up to the polls for both the Houses. The Election Commission can be requested by the government to provide basic guidelines for this. TRAI has suggested that certain rules regarding Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) should be imposed on private channels under which the broadcasters have to telecast programmes with public service content. Such content could be provided by NGOs, social action groups and be overseen by a regulatory body set up exclusively for the purpose of checking the PSB obligation. It further suggested that a Public Service Broadcasting Obligation Fund could be created to fund such programmes. Religious bodies should not be allowed to have their own broadcasting stations and said such a rule would be in tune with the secular nature of our constitution. The channels, however, could be allowed to telecast programmes with religious content. In cases where already such permission has been given to a religious body, TRAI suggested that they should be phased out in three, four years. There are about 35 religious channels in the country. There are five channels affiliated to political parties, mostly in the South, including the Congress, CPM, DMK and AIADMK. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov142008/national20081113100683.asp
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