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Regulations against Radio need a Fresh Look

New Delhi, November 13, 2006

Radio for centuries has been the oldest, fastest and most popular medium of communication. With its power of reaching far-flung areas in a matter of seconds to impart education, disseminate information and provide entertainment has made Radio, truly a medium for Mass Communication.

But despite being a strong contender radio has always assumed a secondary role after dominance of Television made deep roots and rapid in-roads in the sphere of communication. Although Radio as a means of entertainment has historically preceded television, private Radio stations sprouted much after the spread of cable and satellite television.

After the Phase-II of bidding for FM Radio licenses, the brawl over the need and scope of private radio stations which is becoming stark and terrifying was recently discussed at a Seminar on " Indian Radio Industry: The way forward" in New Delhi.

The Government has spelt out a Broadcast Bill to curb the right to 'Freedom of Speech & Expression' of media, a right which is enshrined in our constitution under Article 19(1) A and has become a cause of concern for Private FM channels who already face restrictions like license problems for running news, definite slots of advertisements and revenue generation and payment of handsome royalties to the music industry in exchange for songs played on their frequencies.

On-demand technologies like IPod's and Mobiles are apparently replacing Radio. While the demand of Radio internationally ranges between 9-10 %, in India it is restricted to a negligible 3 %.

There is a grave need to adopt friendly regulation policies and differential structure of music royalties for different cities depending on their population and popular demand which will enable a compromise between FM channels and Government, at the same time introducing new channels catering to different demographic profiles in our society.

"The Government should not keep broadcasters under a strong dictatorial thumb. However a discretional control could be used if a station is habitually breaking the broadcast code or uplinking its signal to reach beyond its licensed area" said the legendary voice of Radio, Ameen Sayani paneling the discussion.

Therefore a realization is vital to recognize the role of radio equivalent vis-ŕ-vis other media like out-of-home segment, cable television, local film theatres and local print media which constantly pose a severe challenge to the radio industry. Thus the radio like other mediums should be left to do what the limits of technology permit it, without hurting the sentiments of any citizen and remember that Self-Restraint and interference shall be exercised when it is necessary and not when it is possible.

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