Question : Closure of Aakashvani National News Channel

(a) whether the Government proposes to close the Aakashvani National News Channel;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Federation of Journalists have requested the Government to review its decision;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the stand/ reaction of the Government thereto?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

(a) & (b): AIR FM coverage has been increasing continuously with 24 hour broadcasts and hourly news headlines and bulletins on FM Rainbow and FM Gold. Hence National Channel which was 30 year old had become replaceable. Listenership of National Channel had declined drastically and was almost negligible due to other new offerings by AIR and other technical reasons. In the light of the shrinking listenership and focus on modernization, it was decided to close the channel in 2018.

(c), (d) & (e): No request from Federation of Journalists has been received by this Ministry.
***********

Download PDF Files