The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on July 21, 2022, issued a consultation paper on “Issues related to Community Radio Stations”.
Community Radio Stations (CRS) serve a local and well-defined community focusing on the day-to-day concerns of its audience and satisfying their specific information and entertainment needs.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) requested the Authority to provide its recommendations, under sections 11(1)(a)(ii) and 11(1) (d) of the TRAI Act, 1997 for the following issues been stated namely:
• Inclusion of not-for-profit companies, registered under Section 8 of Companies Act 2013, in the list of eligible organizations.
• Increasing of permission period from the existing period of 5 years to 10 years.
• Maximum duration of advertisement per hour of broadcast on CRS.
• Number of CR Stations operated in each district of operation by Not-for-profit organizations, operating in multiple districts.
The purpose of the consultation paper is to seek reviews/comments from the stakeholders which are related to the CRS. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by August 17, 2022. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by August 31, 2022.
The consultation paper is available on TRAI's website i.e., www.trai.gov.in.
[Press Release No. 46/2022]
