In its recommendations on issues regarding Phase III expansion of FM Radios, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked the government to allow FM stations to broadcast news taking content from All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan and authorized news agencies such as UNI and PTI.

 

Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi provided this information in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. It is to be noted that the recommendation for Phase III expansion of the FM radios was submitted to the government earlier this year on February 22.

TRAI in its recommendations has asked for 26 % FDI in radio channels broadcasting news and 49 % FDI in non news FM stations. The FDI will also include funds from Foreign Institutional Investors. Another important recommendation which was made, talks about reducing the annual fees by 50 % for FM radio broadcasters in the North East and J&K region for a period of three years. The recommendations are currently being examined by the Information and Broadcasting ministry.