NEW DELHI: The Election Commission clarified today that while it had â€?no objections’ to FM radio channels carrying political advertisements, this could only be done after relevant changes are made in the Broadcasting and Commercial Advertising Codes.
Though the Commission has already conveyed its view to the Information and Broadcasting ministry, the latter has not taken any steps so far to amend the Codes.
Deputy Election Commissioner R Bhattacharya said the Commission would issue further directions only after the Ministry makes the necessary changes.
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The Ministry had earlier this month recommended that FM channels be permitted to carry political advertisements on the same lines as television channels.
The recommendation had been to the Election Commission on the eve of formal notification of elections to four states including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and a few months ahead of the next General Elections.
Confirming the move, Ministry Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Zohra Chatterjee said the recommendation had been made as TV had been carrying such advertisements following a Supreme Court order. She said private FM broadcasters had for some time been urging the government to permit them to carry the ads since TV had been permitted.
It is expected that if the recommendation is accepted, the radio and particularly the FM radio industry, may rake in revenues to the extent of Rs 1.2 billion between now and the General Elections, expected in May next year, sources said.
Advertisements on radio had been banned on the Commission through a letter sent to Chief Electoral Officers on 8 November on the ground that “the Code for Commercial Advertising on the All India Radio prohibits advertisement of political nature.”
