MUMBAI: The Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI) has pressed the information and broadcasting ministry for independence to generate and air news like other media including television, print and the internet.

The case was put forth at a meeting convened by the ministry on 22 January. The meeting, convened by the ministry had invited  representative bodies of various broadcasting arms- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI), News Broadcasters Association (NBA), The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), DTH operators and cable operators to revise the regulations on the broadcasting industry.

The meeting concluded with a note to meet again within 15 days to discuss amendments to the regulations.

On the issue of governance of news broadcast on radio, broadcasters asserted that the medium would be able to maintain self governance.

Meanwhile, sources in the radio industry aver that the programme for phase III of FM radio expansion in the country will be sent to the Union Cabinet by the end of January and that Phase III could well be announced by mid 2010.

In the meeting on Friday, the various associations placed their demands of independent regulators and self governance before the ministry and are hopeful that the meeting will lead to new openings for the sector.

Although music royalty poses the main cause for delay in the implementation of  Phase III, the Information and Broadcasting ministry is also considering the extension of the license period to 15 years from the current 10 years, it is learnt. The 10 year license period posing a hurdle in revenue generation for the radio broadcasters was repeatedly mooted at the AROI meet held in November 2009.