The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on “Issues Related to FM Radio Broadcasting”.
It has recommended that private FM radio operators should be allowed to broadcast independent news and current affairs programmes, limited to 10 minutes in each clock hour. The program code of conduct as applicable to All India Radio for news content may also be applied to private FM radio channels.
Recommendations were sought by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in May 2022 on the removal of linkage to Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee (NOTEF) in the formula for annual fee as prescribed in the FM Ph-Ill policy guidelines and on extending the existing FM license period of 15 years by 3 years.
In August 2022, representatives of Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) also raised issues for consideration of the Authority, including permitting private FM Radio channels to broadcast independent news bulletins and availability of FM Radio Receivers in mobile handsets.
At present, private FM players are only allowed to broadcast All India Radio’s news bulletins without any alterations.
“By extending the scope of news and current affairs programming on private FM radio, the Authority aims to facilitate a comprehensive flow of information and promote the democratisation of media access. It recognises the potential of FM radio to bridge the information gap, particularly in rural areas,” TRAI said.
The recommendations also state that the annual license fee of a FM radio channel should be de-linked from non-refundable one-time entry fee and the license fee should be calculated as 4 percent of the Gross Revenue (GR) of the FM radio channel during the respective financial year.
Operators are currently required to pay an annual licence fee at 4 percent of the gross revenue of its FM radio channel for the financial year or 2.5 percent of NOTEF for the concerned city, whichever is higher.
Functions or features pertaining to FM radio should remain enabled and activated on all mobile handsets having the necessary hardware. Built-in FM radio receiver in mobile handset must not be subjected to any form of disablement or deactivation.
A Standing Committee, headed by a senior officer of Joint Secretary or above level, to oversee and monitor the compliance by mobile phone manufacturers (or importers) may be established by the ministry of electronics and information technology.
Further, the government may take appropriate measures to provide relief to the FM radio operators to address challenges posed due to the covid-19 pandemic.