AROI sets up committee for self-regulatory content code for FM stations

The advisory committee will submit the content code to the ministry of information and broadcasting

The Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI) has formed an advisory committee for the creation of a self-regulatory content code for private FM radio broadcasts in India.

In October 2005, the ministry of information and broadcasting constituted a committee to review the existing Programme and Advertising Code. The committee, comprising representatives of broadcast organisations, civil society groups and consumer forums, compiled a draft content code for self-regulation, which was then made available in the public domain for feedback from various stakeholders/organisations.

AROI sets up committee for self-regulatory content code for FM stations

Since then, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and News Broadcasters’ Association (NBA) have been engaged in framing a self-regulatory content code of their own. This self-regulatory content code and grievance redressal mechanism will then be made available to the ministry for consideration while formulating its report to the Central government.

The AROI recently concluded its first annual general meeting which saw the successful completion of elections for the governing board wherein almost all positions were elected unanimously. The national governing board is spearheaded by Apurva Purohit, CEO, Radio City, who has been appointed the first elected president. The board also comprises four senior vice-presidents, Tarun Katial, COO, Big FM; Abraham Thomas, CEO, Red FM; Rahul Gupta, director and project head, Jagran Radio; and Prashant Pandey, CEO, ENIL. Uday Chawla, GM, commercial, India Today Group, will serve as secretary general to the board. They are also members of the committee.

For the record, the AROI is the apex body of the radio players in the country and comprises many of the big players in the industry today.

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