Allow FM radio channels to broadcast news; increase FDI: TRAI

NEW
DELHI: Broadcast regulator TRAI on Friday recommended that frequency modulation radiocommunication operators
should be allowed to air news and suggested addition in Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) to up to 49 per cent. At present, there is a 20 per
cent ceiling on FDI in frequency modulation radiocommunication space and TRAI recommended that 26 per cent
foreign investing can be allowed in radiocommunication channels that privation to air news
and 49 per cent in non-news frequency modulation stations. The FDI cap will also include
funds received from Foreign Institutional Investors, TRAI said in its
recommendation. It suggested
that frequency modulation radiocommunication broadcasters may be permitted to air news using content from
AIR, Doordarshan, authorised news channels, PTI, UNI and any other authorised
news agency, the recommendation on 3rd form of private frequency modulation radiocommunication broadcasting
said. With this move, a large
section of the population, which hitherto deficiency entree to information, would be
able to maintain themselves abreast without any costs that are attached to internet
and television services, it said. It
also recommended lowering of yearly fees by 50 per cent from the existing
permission holders for private frequency modulation radiocommunication broadcasters in North East and Jammu and
Kashmir part for an initial time period of three years.