Dear friends and colleagues,
This is in reference to AMARC's press statement about the reversal of spectrum fee hike in India, as copied below. I wish to inform you that a web-link leading to information provided by AMARC members from different parts of the world regarding spectrum fees in their respective countries is available online at: http://ap.amarc.org/node/50. The information can also be directly accessed at: http://www.amarc.org/documents/AsiaPacific/spectrumandlicencefees.pdf. Please note that parts of the online table is not in English and a complete English language version of this document will be made available soon. With warmest regards, Suman _________________ Suman Basnet Regional Coordinator AMARC Asia Pacific Kathmandu, Nepal [email protected] mobile phone: +977 9851023499 From: Suman Basnet [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 8:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: AMARC Cautiously Welcomes News of Reversal of Spectrum Fee Hike in India AMARC Cautiously Welcomes News of Reversal of Spectrum Fee Hike in India July 31, 2012, Bangalore. Even as the Asia-Pacific Board of World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) welcomes recent reports from the Indian media indicating the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's (MOCIT) decision to "waive" the spectrum fee hike for community radio stations in the country, it hopes that the Government will consider a roll back of the entire amount. This will substantially enhance the sustainability of the sector which is driven by it's not for profit and community managed/owned characteristics across the world. As a global network committed to media democratization and strengthening the voices of the excluded through community radio, AMARC underscores the importance of the Principles of Broadcasting Diversity as articulated by the UN Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression: Community broadcasting should be explicitly recognized in law as a distinct form of broadcasting (and) should benefit from fair and simple licensing procedures. (and) should benefit from concessionary license fees.." AMARC congratulates the entire community radio sector in the India for their concerted efforts to reverse the hike. While it is not, as yet, clear if the roll back implies a complete waiver or a roll back to the earlier amount of Rs 19,700/- , an official announcement is expected shortly to clarify the decision. In April 2012, the MOCIT had announced a four hundred and fifty per cent hike in the spectrum fee from Rs 19,700/- per annum to Rs 91,000/-. The hike was in sharp contrast to the purpose of community radio providing a voice to the voiceless and evoked strong reactions from the community radio sector within and outside India. The Board also acknowledges and appreciates the support of several AMARC members who supported the campaign to revoke the hike. Representatives from 55 countries who are part of the AMARC network came forward to evince their concern and provided information regarding spectrum and license fees in their country. This is hosted on the AMARC website. Ashish Sen, President, AMARC Asia-Pacific -END- AMARC is an international non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement in over 110 countries, and advocating for the right to communicate at the international, national, local and neighborhood levels. AMARC has an International Secretariat in Montreal. It has regional sections in Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. For more information, please contact Suman Basnet, Regional Coordinator for Asia-Pacific, [email protected] or visit www.asiapacific.amarc.org. _________________ Suman Basnet Regional Coordinator AMARC Asia Pacific Kathmandu, Nepal [email protected] mobile phone: +977 9851023499
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