JOIN USSeeking to counter anti-government propaganda carried out by Naxalites, the Centre is set to expand the reach of its broadcasting services to the unserved tribal areas, particularly hit by the left-wing extremism.
Through All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan, tribals in the Naxal-hit areas will be informed about the government’s welfare policies and programmes meant for them.
Special programmes shot in the languages spoken by the tribals will be aired at Doordarshan and AIR in the regions hit by left-wing extremism, sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry told Deccan Herald.
The move has been initiated by the I&B Ministry after consulting with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The national broadcasters will be asked to prepare programme contents, they added. The AIR, covers about 99.14 per cent population and 91.79 per cent area of the country with 231 broadcasting centres and 372 terrestrial transmitters including 170 FM transmitters. It airs programmes in 24 language and 146 dialects.
About 92 per cent of the country’s population can view Doordarshan through a network of 1,415 terrestrial transmitters. The country is also covered by DD DTH Service.