Expansion time for community radio

Community radio is set to move from the margins to the centre with the Union Government's decision to legitimise it, said Ashish Sen, director of Voices.

On November 16, 2006, the Government of India legitimised community radio in the country.According to the policy guidelines, non-governmental organisations and other non-profit organisations will be able to apply for community radio licences.

The policy makes India first in South Asia to have a separate policy for community radio, he said.

"Karnataka has a special relationship with community radio. The Bangalore Declaration and the Pastapur Initiative were among the first advocacy efforts operationalised by Voices to urge the Government to free the airwaves," he said.

"Namma Dhwani" in Kolar and Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy of the Blind in Bangalore, are examples of community-based initiatives in Karnataka. "After a struggle for over 11 years, communities, especially poor communities, who are producers of information, will be able to communicate through community radio," he added.

Balakrishna of Namma Dhwani, said, "The community will have a media of their own, which they can use to address their issues and concerns. The poor, experts and resource people can use this medium to disseminate information. This also helps build capacities of a larger community base with a transmitter as opposed to cable or loudspeakers."

He said that through Namma Dhwani, they were able to create awareness among the people with regard to health and social issues. "Namma Dhwani was able to broadcast the results of the gram panchayat elections live. Over the past six years, we have conducted over 300 programmes," he added

Source: Hindu More

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