Time to cut radio's ride on airwaves?

Neha Seth / CNN-IBN
Published on Sunday , September 30, 2007 at 10:40 in Nation section
New Delhi: There's trouble in the airwaves and Red FM - the radio station
under fire for broadcasting allegedly derogatory remarks against Gurkhas and
the newly-crowned Indian Idol Prashant Tamang - is at the centre of it.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued a showcause notice to
the station for inciting protests and clashes in Siliguri on Friday.
The state machinery's efforts and an appeal for peace from Tamang have
diffused tension for now. But the question remains who should take
responsibility?
"It's the responsibility of the Radio Jockey that are derogatory or that can
inflame a community," says RJ with Radio One 94.3, Prince.
The I&B Ministry says Red FM seems to have violated the All India Radio
programme code.
The ministry takes action against radio stations when a complaint is bought
to its notice. But a regulatory code of any sort still doesn't exist. Some
say self-regulation is the answer.
"The answer is self-regulation," says media commentator, Akhila Shivdas.
Red FM has already issued an apology, saying: Our shows and RJ's use humour
and satire in their presentation. We have not intentionally caused hurt to
the sentiments of any person or any particular community, caste or creed. In
the event any offence has been caused, we tender our apology for the same.
There are over 250 radio stations in the country today, making it one of the
most powerful tools of mass communication.
One wrong word or a careless remark can have serious consequences. It's time
someone recognised the need to pay attention.

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