AIR to launch 24-hour news channel

The ministry of information and broadcasting is considering launch of a 24-hour news channel by the All India Radio on the lines of Doordarshan's 24-hour news channel.

The I&B ministry is currently evaluating various aspects and the technicalities involved in launching a 24-hour news channel on AIR, Uday Kumar Varma, secretary to the ministry, said while addressing a meeting of Punjab-based heads of various media units in Amritsar today.

The I&B secretary reviewed the existing status of AIR & DDK transmission in the border areas, and discussed in detail the progress of digitalisation of AIR & DDK.

Varma said the government has evolved a programme wherein transmission facilities in border areas will be adequately strengthened. To achieve this, he said, sufficient funds have been earmarked in the 12th Plan.

He observed that digitisation is a slow process and India is well ahead compared to developed countries such as the USA, UK, and China, which took 10 to 15 years to accomplish this task.

Varma expressed confidence that digitisation of transmission signals will completely change the broadcasting scenario in the country within the next couple of years.

Reacting to certain reports on monopoly by certain private cable TV operators, the I &B secretary said the matter has already been referred to TRAI for rendering its legal opinion on the issue.