TRAI hikes ad duration on Community Radio Stations to 12 minutes per hour

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its Recommendations on “Issues related to Community Radio Stations”. TRAI had issued a consultation paper on July 21, 2022 for seeking comments of the stakeholders on the issues related to Community Radio Stations.

After considering all comments/counter-comments received from stakeholders during consultation process and further analysis of the issues, the Authority has finalised its recommendations. The salient features of the recommendations are given below:

1. Non-for-profit companies established under Section 8 of Companies Act 2013 are already covered in the extant eligibility criteria for CRS
2. The existing criteria prescribed in MIB guidelines barring certain type of entities for setting up Community Radio Stations are equally applicable to Section 8 companies also
3. Reiterates recommendations regarding disqualification of religious bodies from owning broadcasting channels including Community Radio Station as mentioned in its 'Recommendations on Issues relating to entry of certain entities into Broadcasting and Distribution activities’ dated 12.11.2008
4. The initial period of permission should be increased from five years to ten years, at a time.
5. Present policy guidelines for extension renewal of CRS license are adequate and should continue to be the same.
6. Community Radio Stations will be required to obtain continued service report from the SDM of the concerned District for grant of license extension
7. The duration of advertisement on a CRS should be increased from seven minutes per hour to 12 minutes per hour
8. Not-for-profit organisations, operating in multiple districts, should be allowed to set up multiple CRS in their area of operation
9. An organisation should be allowed to set up a maximum of six CRS throughout the country

• An organisation seeking to set up multiple stations should submit an undertaking confirming that the programs will be prepared locally and not sent from other CRS

11. MIB may actively pursue with Central and State Governments to sponsor more programmes on CRS for helping CRS in their sustainability
12. All the universities of Central! State Governments may be provided budgetary support to establish and operate Community Radio Stations. MIB may actively pursue providing license spectrum for such universities
13. All the processes for granting CRS should be made online through a single window system
14. SACFA clearance should be granted within one month of application. (xv)
15. Grant of WOL license should also have a prescribed period preferably within one month of application.

At present, 408 CRS are operational. These CRS provide developmental, agricultural, health, educational, environmental, social welfare, community development and cultural programs for meeting the special interests and needs of the local communities.