Use of FC funds for radio stations

Posted on January 10, 2014 by SRRF

Dear Members,

Request you to kindly enlighten me on whether radio stations can avail FC funds?  Also can FC funds be used to open and operate FM/Radio i stations by NGOs?

Your prompt reply will be highly appreciated.

Regards

Raphael Fernandes

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One Response to Use of FC funds for radio stations

  1. Soma Sastry says:
    January 14, 2014 at 5:23 am

    Dear Fernandes,

    Greetings from Hyderabad!

    In the FCRA 1976, there was restriction only on the print media. Under FCRA 2010 there is a prohibition on the organizations engaged in the audio visual broadcast of public news or current affairs related programs. This may affect the organizations engaged in the audio visual broadcast or those who have obtained licences to run Community Radio Services. Refer to section 3(1).

    If you see the list of persons specifically debarred from receiving foreign funds, there is a point which says, “association or company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news or audio visual news or current affairs program through any electronic mode, or any other electronic mode as defined in clause (r) of subsection (1) of section (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 or any other mode of mass communication”

    This clause debars association or company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news or audio visual news or current affairs program through any electronic mode from receiving foreign contribution. What it also implies is that the amendment is not about the use of FC funds for the aforementioned activities, but the amendment also implies that anybody engaged in such activity cannot received foreign funds for any purpose.

    I would also request other inputs for better clarity.

    Thanks and regards,

    Soma Sastry

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