Govt to revamp DD, AIR and bring back lost glory: Javadekar

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the government was going to revamp state-owned TV broadcaster Doordarhsan (DD) and radio broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) to bring back their lost glory. [caption id=“attachment_1551703” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prakash Javadekar wants to bring back the lost glory of DD and AIR. IBNLive[/caption] According to a report in The Hindu, Mr. Javadekar has already discussed the same with Prasar Bharati officials. “We want to make DD competitive in the current scenario and add fantastic content.” The report added that Javadekar said he would not listen to cable operators’ complaints until Doordarshan was aired in the primary band. Another report in The Hindu said that Javadekar wanted to allow private news broadcasts on FM radio channels apart from AIR news broadcasts. “Mr. Javadekar said the radio industry could ‘hope for some good news’ during the third phase of FM expansion in the country. ‘There is no reason why only All India Radio news broadcasts should be carried on FM channels,’ he said at a press conference,” said the report. Apart from allowing private news broadcasts in FM expansion, the government is also mulling over allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the news media. Currently, FDI is allowed up to 26% in news media while up to 100% in general entertainment channels (GECs). One of the concerns over allowing 100% FDI in new media is paid news, which could increase if private players are allowed to broadcast news.