Radio Jockeys mimicking MPs a serious issue, says I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar

NEW DELHI: The growing trend of Radio Jockeys (RJs) mimicking Parliamentarians and their "double-meaning" talks is a serious issue, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told Rajya Sabha today.

To a question posed by actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan (SP), he said these were not in "good taste".

The Minister pointed out that there was an electronic media monitoring centre.

To a query on the issue of forced retirement of some RJs upon attaining age of 35 years by All India Radio, Kolkata, Javadekar said the order was stayed as soon as the matter came to his notice.

Raising the issue, Derek O'Brien (TMC) said he could not understand what "great biological changes" happen after RJs attain the age of 35 years.

Agreeing with him, Javadekar recalled Ameen Sayani whose voice enthralled listeners of All India Radio for decades and said, "It's nothing to do with age."

The Minister also said the government was contemplating allowing private FM channels to broadcast "AIR news clips".
Javadekar said the government aims to raise the number of community radio channels to 700 from 243 now.

The Minister said the government was envisaging extension of private FM radio services to about 227 new cities in addition to 86 cities at present.