The government has been disallowing news and current affairs content on private FM radio till now, despite persistent demand from the industry. But soon, a “midway” solution could be found if a proposal from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is accepted.

In a significant suggestion in a consultation paper on the proposed next phase of expansion of private FM radio broadcasting, TRAI has said broadcasters could be considered for ‘certain freedom’ and allowed to broadcast ‘exactly same’ news & current affairs contents already aired by All India Radio or Doordarshan.
The idea, still in a proposal stage, has been floated for opinion from various stakeholders who have been requested to give their comments on this and various other issues relating to the third phase of private FM radio broadcasting.

TRAI’s suggestion seems like a compromise solution between the industry’s demand for allowing news broadcast on private radio and the government’s refusal to give permission for it.
Industry body FICCI has been saying that FM broadcasters must also be allowed at least some slot to broadcast news & current affairs like in private TV channels, Internet, etc.

According to FICCI, a large percentage of the rural and urban population is unable to read and write, and thus it is impossible for them to read newspapers. Also, a large section of the population unable to buy TV sets cannot be reached through TV.

In addition, electrical connections are limited to either urban areas or to sections of the population that can afford to pay for electricity. Thus,  for the poor and under-privileged, the only available medium of news and entertainment is FM radio, FICCI has said.

In fact, FICCI even advocates allocation of FM radio channels exclusively for current & news affairs, apart from suggesting allowing at least six to eight minutes of news & current affairs per hour on FM radio broadcast under 'general entertainment' licence.

The FM radio industry is also cut up with the permission given to Worldspace, the only satellite radio player in India, to broadcast news.