KORAPUT: To reach remote areas and ensure that people listen to radio more clearly without any interruption, a newly installed 100KW digital-ready high-power medium wave (MV) transmitter was commissioned at the All India Radio (AIR) centre in Jeypore in the district recently."Earlier, we had a 100KW transmitter but the technology it used was outdated. Listeners were unable to hear clearly. Hence, it has been replaced by a digital-ready transmitter. Our reach will increase and listeners can hear the radio clearly," said Jugal Kishore Panda, programme head, AIR, Jeypore.Panda said the programmes of AIR Jeypore could reach every corner of Koraput , Rayagada, Nabarangpur Malkangiri , Gajapati, Kalahandi and Nuapada districts with the installation of the new transmitter. They would even reach Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.According to a survey, AIR Jeypore has 20 per cent listeners in urban areas and 55 per cent listeners in rural areas.In the age of social media, where misinformation spreads like wildfire, AIR serves as an alternative and accurate source of information for the audience, officials said. "Even though radio is facing stiff competition from other communication media, it remains relevant for prompt and credible information and entertainment programmes, especially in the tribal region," said Panda.Established in 1964, AIR Jeypore was the third major primary channel AIR station in the state after AIR Cuttack and AIR Sambalpur, established in 1948 and 1963, respectively."The AIR Jeypore has come a long way in catering to the broadcasting needs of this tribal-dominated and underdeveloped region. Youths now prefer FM, so it will be nice if the current 1KW FM transmitter is replaced with 10KW transmitters," said Sanjit Patnaik, secretary of SOVA, a voluntary organization that runs a community radio station in Koraput.

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