Centre mulls allowing private FM channels air news: Javadekar

In a move likely to benefit over two dozen private FM channels in the country, union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar said the centre is considering allowing privately-owned FM radio channels to start their own news broadcast.

Many of the private FM channels are owned by established media houses.

"Why should FM channels be banned from broadcasting news? The Centre is considering to allow privately-owned FM radio channels to start their own news broadcast," Javadekar told reporters in Mumbai.

"The auction of FM radios has already entered its third phase. We will issue the guidelines in this connection shortly," he added.

According to the Javadekar, digitisation of four crore TV sets across the country has already been completed and the government was in favour of getting the remaining part of the digitisation of TV cables completed through the domestically-manufactured set-top boxes, rather than depending on Chinese imports.

However, for the completion of the remaining part of digitisation of 11.5 crore TV sets in the country comprising phase III and phase IV, we want to get the same done domestically, he said.

"It will help serve two purposes. While it will generate more employment, it will also ensure that the STBs get repaired in case or their becoming out of order", said he.

Javadekar said he would hold discussions with the finance and commerce ministers next week.