New Delhi: Private FM channels will be able to broadcast All India Radio (AIR) News from today as the Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore will be launching the sharing of News at a function in New Delhi this afternoon.
Talking to AIR, Colonel Rathore said, it is positive and welcome step as radio is the biggest mass medium for citizens. The decision to offer its news follows a demand by private FM channels to broadcast AIR news.
The Minister said, the radio has gained popularity again due to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Colonel Rathore said, AIR FM covers 50 per cent of population in the country and private FM channels are being given opportunities in different cities and towns.
The free services will be available on trial basis until May 31 this year and come with a condition that news broadcasts will not be altered, must be carried out in their entirety with commercials, and only after private FM radio broadcasters register themselves with AIR to avail of the services.
Broadcast conditions imposed by Prasar Bharati also mandate that the FM channels give due credit to AIR for sourcing its news.
