NEW DELHI: Even as Information and Broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi has expressed annoyance at television news channels airing entertainment, the ministry has taken umbrage to private FM channels airing news snippets and current affairs in violation of rules. In a press release, the ministry notes, "These violations have been viewed very seriously by the Ministry" and advised all concerned parties to refrain from any such activities, which are in violation of terms and conditions of FM license.

The carriage of news snippets and current affairs violates the provisions, which have been incorporated in clause 1.4 and 23.4 of Grant of Permission Agreement signed by private operators with the Government.

According to the present FM Radio policy, news and current affairs are the sole domain of All India Radio and should not be broadcast by private FM channels in any manner.

Earlier in June, the Radio Forum of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) had urged that private FM radio channels should be permitted to broadcast news and current affairs in addition to entertainment programmes.

In a memorandum submitted to the Information and Broadcasting ministry, the Ficci Radio Forum headed by ENIL MD A P Parigi said there was need to create level-playing policies for both satellite radio and FM Radio. The release of more frequencies in all markets and multiple ownership was required as well as tradability of licenses, besides allowing foreign direct investment in radio broadcasting.

Meanwhile, a total of 164 private FM radio stations are expected to go on air by the end of the year. After the new policy of expansion of FM broadcasting through private operators had been notified on 13 July 2005, 337 channels in 91 cities including 217 channels of class-C and class-D cities were put on bid. Out of these, agreements were signed with successful bidders for 139 channels in 57 cities.

At present, a total of 263 FM channels include 161 of All India Radio and 102 privately owned channels are operational. These include 21 operationalised under the Phase I scheme.