Letters: Radio's reach

This refers to the report "Private FM players gearing up for phase-3 auctions" (January 21). The government has decided to allow private FM radio channels to carry news from the All India Radio (AIR). But the scope needs to be widened to allow private FM radio channels to broadcast news generated from other sources, apart from AIR. In emergency situations such as severe monsoon and bomb blasts, private FM channels are a good source of information. Even on a regular day, their traffic updates are popular with motorists, as they allow them to avoid traffic jams. When we have private television channels for telecasting news, why should private FM radio stations have limited freedom in broadcasting news? India also needs to install powerful transmitters at AIR stations across the country. Our transmitters are not powerful enough, when compared with well-known global radio services such as the BBC, Voice of America and others in countries like Germany and China. We also need to link FM radio stations across India - one city's radio stations should be made available in another city.

Radio is still a popular medium in far-flung and rural areas - our army jawans are still in love with the radio in border areas. The radio has its own charm - the Murphy Radio of yore is still available in grey markets in cities such as Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi. The beauty of radio is that the transistor is cheap and one does not have to pay monthly charges, unlike television channels provided by various companies.

Deendayal M Lulla Mumbai

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