Phased Out, But AIR Longs For Short Wave

[icernet-admin at listserv.cddc.vt.edu]

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is on a short wave splurge, contrary to
international trends. Even as Prasar Bharati’s radio division—All India
Radio—claims to be phasing out short wave (SW) transmission in keeping with
government recommendations, its actions indicate otherwise. For instance,
AIR installed five transmitters in short wave frequency a few months ago.
Officials, however, reasoned that the “new strategy” on phasing out short
wave came after orders were placed for these transmitters. Also, purchase of
five short wave transmitters was part of the Ninth Plan project, they added.

But that’s not the only short wave drive here. AIR National Channel was
revived recently on short wave too. To top it all, AIR is now planning
24-hour news channels for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Guwahati on short wave!
Incidentally, the working group on the information and broadcasting sector
for the Tenth Plan had recommended that short wave in analogue mode should
be phased out, citing poor reception quality. While officially the word is
that “existing transmitters are being used in the best possible manner till
their life ends”, insiders are calling the exercise “meaningless”. 

Source:
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=40046