Hundreds left jobless as AIR makes Kozhikode FM station a relay centre
The Hindu
Decision to stop local programmes flayed
Hundreds of part-time contributors and artists in Kozhikode have been rendered jobless with the All India Radio converting its local ‘Real F.M.’ station as just another centre to relay programmes from other stations.
According to sources, this is part of a rebranding exercise by the public service broadcaster. Over 80 local stations are being merged to have 36 centralised broadcasting platforms. Decisions to this effect were taken in 2020. The role of the local stations would be confined to relaying programmes from other major centres and recording and sending programmes based on the demand from the top. In Kerala, public news service would be under the Thiruvananthapuram station and entertainment programmes would be under Kochi.
The sources said that the staff strength in AIR is seeing a sharp decline in the past two years with many permanent employees retiring and more on the way. There are reports that a majority of the staff are aged above 50. So the organisation is reportedly trying to sustain the coverage with limited staff and resources.