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Radio has been a strong and far-reaching medium, providing information, education, and entertainment to millions around the world. Despite the rise of digital and new media platforms, radio remains very relevant due to its accessibility and effect. To recognise its contribution, UNESCO established World Radio Day on February 13, 2011, to celebrate media freedom, public education, and cultural diversity.
Radio has historically played an important role in India, assisting in pre-independence activities as well as agriculture, education, and disaster management. The aim of this article is to investigate radio’s freedom, the legal frameworks that govern it, and its obligations as a public medium.
The invention of radio resulted in a significant shift in communication. Guglielmo Marconi successfully demonstrated wireless communication in 1895, ushering in the radio era by elaborating on James Clerk Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic waves and Heinrich Hertz’s experimental evidence that they exist. After this discovery, radio technology evolved quickly, and broadcasting services began to grow in the 1920s.
In India, radio broadcasting began in 1923 through the commercial Indian Broadcasting Company, and in 1936, the government created All India Radio, also known as Akashvani. In 1957, radio achieved great popularity with Vividh Bharati channels. FM radio debuted in 1977, and private FM stations were permitted after 1999. Today, with internet radio, podcasts, and digital radio, radio remains a contemporary, significant medium for education, information, and entertainment.
Free Expression and the Indian Constitution
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to free expression, which includes the media. However, Article 19(2) provides for limited restrictions to protect national security, public order, morality, and the judiciary.
Prasar Bharati Act of 1990
The Prasar Bharati Act established autonomy for All India Radio and Doordarshan, the national broadcasting organisations. While this law protects media autonomy, broadcasters must nonetheless observe certain regulations.
The Information Technology Act and Electronic Media
In the age of digital radio and online streaming, the Information Technology Act of 2000 oversees electronic media. It includes regulations for avoiding cybercrime, regulating digital broadcasting, and ensuring digital media ethics
1.Freedom of Expression and Eventual Rights.
According to Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of expression, which includes media freedom. Radio, television, and other media are thus authorised to broadcast information. However, this independence is not absolute.
Article 19(2) imposes specific constraints to protect national security, social harmony, decency, and the dignity of the judiciary. Radio stations must adhere to these regulations when disseminating information.
2.Development of All India Radio after Independence and the Introduction of Private FM Stations
Following independence, All India Radio served as a government medium. With the government controlling the media, radio journalism’s independence was constrained.
However, in the 1990s, commercial FM stations were permitted, and in 1999, the Indian government legalised FM radio privatisation, resulting in the construction of multiple private FM stations.
3.The Role of Radio in Independent and Responsible Journalism
Radio serves an important role as an independent medium. It has the ability to spark discussions about social, political, and economic issues.
However, radio stations must transmit responsibly and provide accurate information. There are legal limits on transmitting propaganda, rumours, or information that disrupts social harmony.
1.Broadcasting Accurate and Reliable Information
Radio is an important source of information for society. As a result, the news and programs presented must be accurate and factual. False or incorrect information can cause confusion. During calamities or pandemics, radio is responsible for delivering authorised and reliable information.
2.Role in Cultural Diversity and Social Awareness
Radio is more than just a source of pleasure; it is also an efficient tool for raising cultural and social awareness. Channels such as Vividh Bharati help to maintain cultural history by offering music, drama, storytelling, and traditional arts. Farmers and women can receive vital information in their own language via community radio.
3.Control over false news and misleading advertisements
Fake news and deceptive marketing are commonplace today. Radio stations must ensure that only accurate information reaches the public and place prohibitions on fraudulent ads. Advertisements should follow broadcasting regulations and regulatory restrictions.
4.Broadcasting Restrictions for National Security
Radio broadcasters must ensure national security and social peace. It must operate responsibly during wars, riots, and the transmission of critical information. Broadcasting disruptive content, inciting communal hatred, or being anti-national is illegal.
With technological advancements, radio has reinvented itself. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) and internet radio provide listeners with high-quality sound and more options. Podcasts and online streaming allow on-demand listening.
Community radio plays an important role in rural areas, providing information on agriculture, health, education, and local issues. The growing threat of fake news emphasizes the need for reliable and ethical journalism.
Artificial intelligence is being used to create personalized experiences for listeners. Digital technology is making radio more interactive. By balancing freedom and responsibility and broadcasting trustworthy information, radio has a bright future.
Radio is an important medium that serves society’s requirements for information, education, and pleasure. While founded on media independence, it must operate within legal and ethical bounds to ensure truth, impartiality, and accountability. Misleading information might cause confusion, making adherence to the law critical.
As digital technology makes radio more accessible, its duties expand. According to Adv. Abdul Mulla, who writes about legal topics on platforms such as www.asmlegalservices.in and www.lifeandlaw.in, sustaining ethical journalism while adhering to legal frameworks enables radio to improve democracy and contribute significantly to social reform.
Adv. Abdul Mulla (Mob. No. 937 007 2022) is a seasoned legal professional with over 18 years of experience in advocacy, specializing in diverse areas of law, including Real Estate and Property Law, Matrimonial and Divorce Matters, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Will and Succession Planning. read more….
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