NEW DELHI: All India Radio continues to be the most authentic source for news not only in India but also for those living outside the country and want to get news that are true and not sensationalized, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said.
Lauding the pubcaster for keeping away from the cacophony often created by private television channels with news that was often unsubstantiated, he said AIR continued to be the first choice for a majority of radio listeners not only for news but also for the variety of programming.
While stressing that the government supported freedom of speech and expression, he warned against the dangers of disinformation. He regretted that even social media platforms and newspapers often deviated from the truth.
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The Minister was speaking recently after presenting the annual Akashvani Awards. Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore, Secretary Ajay Mittal, Prasar Bharati Chairman Surya Prakash and CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati were also present, apart from AIR DG F Sheheryar, ADG Amlan Jyoti Mazumdar and other senior officials.
The Annual Award are given to decorate the professionals of AIR for their best performance in the fields of programme production, technical excellence, news, management, audience research among others.
One of the highlights of the event this year was that the winning entries were not only restricted to the bigger or metropolitan centres only but even very small stations from remote parts of the country have their shares of awards – witness of the fact that talent in AIR is widespread and quality programmes are being produced even in smaller centres.
In terms of number of languages and dialects of broadcast, AIR is the world’s largest public service radio broadcaster as it broadcasts in 23 languages and 179 dialects. All conceivable radio formats like music, plays, documentaries, features, interviews, talks, innovative programmes, news etc. are used by All India Radio across its entire network comprising of 421 broadcasting centres.
Programmes are produced on wide ranging subjects from news and current affairs, developmental issues, health and sanitation, family welfare, education, science and technology etc. topics concerning special audiences like women, children, youth, senior citizens, farmers, industrial workers, soldiers, tribal communities; to entertainment based programmes.
Unlike private radio and television channels, all the programme content in AIR is generated by in-house or staff producers.
Sheheryar noted that unlike private channels which depended mainly on music, AIR’s programming showed a combined creative variety.
All India Radio introduced the Akashvani Annual Awards in 1974. Over the years, this has come to be recognized as one of the most prestigious award for radio in the country.
While promoting healthy professional competition, these awards also promote creative excellence of the organization by bringing out the best from the professionals working in various aspects of radio broadcast.
A spokesman of AIR told radioandmusic.com that the pubcaster was faced with myriad challenges. While carrying out its onerous responsibilities towards the citizens of the country as a public service broadcaster, it has to also withstand the stiff competition from the other private players to optimize its revenue earnings.
The challenges before the technical think tank are also very daunting at a time when broadcast technology is changing every passing minute. Notwithstanding the various limiting factors, the technical staff of All India Radio is engaged in constantly upgrading the technical quality both in terms of production as well as transmission.
AIR is now diversifying beyond the traditional analogue broadcast and adopting new platforms like live streaming on web, mobile apps and other radio plus features. Ever since Prime Minister chose All India Radio as his preferred vehicle of communication to reach out to the multitude of population of this country spread across the nook and corner, radio has got a new fillip and it has gone through a complete metamorphosis.
