Why is it in the News?

With a view to ensuring the growth of the community radio sector, the Union government on Tuesday increased the advertising time for community radio stations as well as the tariff rate for advertisements.

What are Community Radio Stations (CRSs?

• Community radio stations (CRSs) are low-power radio stations with a coverage area of approximately a 10-15 km radius, depending on the area’s geography, which is meant to be set up and operated by local communities.
• They offer a platform where content is disseminated in localized dialects and regional languages.
• Local, context-specific issues are raised and discussed in these stations in local idioms.
• India's first community radio station (CRS) was inaugurated on the campus of Anna University in 2004.
  • Currently, there are 481 CRSs in India.

About the Revised Policy Guidelines:

• Under the revised policy, the government has permitted any eligible organisation functional in multiple districts to set up a maximum of six community radio stations in different districts.
• The advertising time for community radio stations has been increased from seven minutes per hour to 12 minutes per hour, while the rate of advertisement has been hiked from Rs 52 to Rs 74 per 10 seconds, the guidelines stated.
• The policy also fixed the validity of the letter of intent issued to an organisation to one year, with a buffer of three months to the applicant for any unforeseen circumstances.
• The revised policy guidelines are expected to fuel the growth of the community radio sector.
• The guidelines stated that the licensee would set up an advisory and content committee comprising members of the local community, with 50 per cent representation for women.