As part of organisational downsizing, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed to wind up the news division at the Kozhikode station of All India Radio (AIR).
The development comes when the station is celebrating the golden jubilee of the news division that was started with the objective to pep-up the colourful social and cultural facets of Malabar and enhance the public-government interface in the region.
Official sources said that the Ministry had issued an order informing that the current Kozhikode correspondent and the assistant director (Editor) would be shifted to Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai, and News Service Division of Prasar Bharati, New Delhi, respectively. Subsequently, two news readers would also be attached to some other stations. “The proposal has come when we were hoping that three editorial posts that had been abolished sometime back would be restored. News divisions at Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu and Dharwad in Karnataka are also likely to be dismantled,” the sources said.
The Kozhikode news division has been catering to a large section of people in six districts of north Kerala and Lakshadweep. “The existing seven news bulletins include the popular regional news aired throughout the State at 6.45 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. The FM headlines at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. are also a hit with the public. Now the news section will be confined to the Thiruvananthapuram AIR station,” an official said.
More than a decade ago a similar situation arose to shut down the news division at the Kozhikode AIR station when the popularity of conservative radio waned with the onslaught of television channels. But the proposal was dropped following protests, the official said.
Today radio service is staging a comeback with FM radio channels and even Mann Ki Baat hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in AIR and Doordarshan capturing the interests of young minds. “The Kozhikode station also airs news-based programmes on contemporary themes including problems of Adivasis and local flavours in Malappuram and Wayanad districts,” the sources said.
Previously, the Congress-led UPA government had decided to downsize the staff at the Ministry. Many Press Information Bureau posts had been abolished. “Now many suspect that the downsizing measures are to favour the private FM broadcasters,” he alleged.
