Allowing news on pvt, community radios a security risk: Govt

NEW DELHI: Allowing private FM radio stations, including community radios, to broadcast news could pose a “possible security risk” and may be “exploited” by foreign radical outfits, government has told the Supreme Court.

Opposing a plea seeking direction for allowing news on private radio stations, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said there is no mechanism to monitor the contents of news bulletins of every such station and it has to be ensured that community radios are not used as a tool by vested interests.

An affidavit, filed by the Ministry in pursuance to notice issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, said community radio stations also air programmes involving chats with NRIS and the local population settled abroad.

“These stations may be exploited by foreign radical organisations to broadcast fabricated/radical views of some of these NRIS, as due to paucity of funds, the radio stations would not be able to afford authentic news sources,” it said.

The affidavit said the community and private FM radio station operators may not be allowed to broadcast news and current affairs programmes as it “may pose a possible security risk as there is no mechanism to monitor the contents of the news bulletins of every such stations”. “News and current affairs programmes on community radios are not allowed in the policy guideline to prevent the possibility of misuse of the platform by vested interests for furthering their designs/ agenda,” it said.