Doordarshan, AIR go silent

CHENNAI: For the first time in their history, All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) channels went blank at 9 am on Tuesday morning, for reasons that were not technical. A nationwide strik
Employees of All India Radio demonstrate in Chennai on Tuesday demanding that the Prasar Bharati Bill be repealed.(EPS)
Employees of All India Radio demonstrate in Chennai on Tuesday demanding that the Prasar Bharati Bill be repealed.(EPS)
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CHENNAI: For the first time in their history, All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) channels went blank at 9 am on Tuesday morning, for reasons that were not technical. A nationwide strike by the National Federation of Akashvani and Doordarshan Employees (NFADE) on Prasar Bharati foundation day crippled operations of the two national broadcasters.

The NFADE strike, which would continue till Wednesday evening, was aimed at forcing the Central government to dissolve the ill-performing Prasar Bharati and return AIR and DD to direct control of the Central government.

Employees of AIR and DD staged dharnas in front of their offices across the country. Even station directors were reported to have joined the dharnas at a number of places. As soon as the strike began at 9 am on Tuesday, all regional channels of AIR and DD went blank. News services continued to operate, but were unable to run the scheduled news bulletins as the technical staff were not present to broadcast the content.

Regional Doordarshan stations cut to the transmission of DD National, which was still operational with skeletal staff.

“We had to defer our agitation earlier only due to written assurances from Prasar Bharati CEO B S Lalli and the Information and Broadcasting ministry that a representation of our demands would be made to the Group of Ministers,” NFADE chairman S Anil Kumar told Express. But Lalli misrepresented Prasar Bharati’s financial state to the GoM, he claimed.

NFADE office bearers say Prasar Bharati has proved, in the 12 years of its existence, that is was doomed to financial inviablity and that this fact was impeding the role of AIR and DD as public service broadcasters. “We have been producing programmes based on the government’s policy. These programmes are in public interest and not very saleable. Now creative staff are being made to run from pillar to post to find sponsors. What is the sense in turning a public service broadcaster into a commercial broadcaster overnight?,” asks a senior marketing executive in Chennai.

The striking employees claim that they have not received promotions at any point in their careers. They also point out there has been no recruitment in the last 15 years. “At 44, I am probably the youngest person working here. That’s ridiculous,” says a programme director.

“Even basic welfare measures have been neglected ever since Prasar Bharati took over. Some employees don’t even get their salaries on time,” claims NFADE unit coordinator Harikrishnan Nair.

Other employees alleged that vested interests within the government were intentionally valuing AIR and DD assets that are worth over one lakh crore rupees at just a fraction of the amount — `5,000 crore. The gross undervaluation, they said, is meant to create a situation similar to that of State-owned communications giant VSNL before it was taken over by Tata Communications.

Sources say Lalli and officials from the I&B ministry met the Parliamentary Standing Committee over the issue on Tuesday evening.

NFADE members, however, say they are determined to bring things to a head by continuing their strike till 5pm on Wednesday. They have also announced a three-day strike from December 13 if their demands are not addressed satisfactorily.

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