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<DIV><A name=story><STRONG><FONT color=#800000 size=4><U>AMARC Asia Pacific
President Ashish Sen - </U></FONT></STRONG></A></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=5>We need more information disseminated
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=5>about availability of appropriate,
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=5>low cost technology </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=5>to set up Community
Radio stations</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=5></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
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<P><FONT color=#008000><STRONG><EM>Ashish Sen, Trustee, VOICES, and President,
AMARC (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters) – Asia Pacific Region,
is a member of the Community Radio Forum and a Trustee of the Dev Nandan
Ubhayeker Foundation for the Arts, Bangalore. </EM></STRONG></FONT>
<P><FONT color=#008000><STRONG><EM>A media specialist for over three decades in
various assignments, Sen is passionate about the community radio movement in the
country. Recently back from a NGOs' meet in Bihar to discuss the evolving role
of community radio, he outlines for Radioandmusic.com the status of the CR
initiative in the country. </EM></STRONG></FONT>
<P><FONT color=#0000ff>How would you assess the current community radio scenario
in India? </FONT>
<P>The most urgent challenge lies in bridging the gap between demand and supply.
It’s been more than two years since the policy guidelines for community radio
were announced. In March 2007, community radio advocates and practitioners were
informed that the country had room for 5000 community radio stations. So far, a
little more than 30 stations are operational – a substantial majority of which
are campus based. Only three or four come from grass root communities. We need
to rectify this imbalance.
<P>At the same time, we need to have several more stations on air. How do we do
this? First: by generating awareness- especially among the grass roots.
Relatively few are aware about community radio. Advocacy that goes beyond the
band of the converted is necessary. We need to have many more awareness based
and capacity building programmes and more stake holders need to join the
process. So far, the Community Radio Forum and CEMCA have been the main players
organizing these workshops, supported by UN agencies and government, but there
need to urgently go to scale.
<P>There needs to be more information disseminated about the availability of
appropriate and low cost technology in setting up community radio stations. For
instance, very few are aware of NOMAD technology that is authorized manufactures
of low cost transmitters. Most of us are aware only of BEL and WEBEL (also
authorized dealers) whose costs are far steeper and beyond the reach of the aam
aadmi. If community radio is to assert itself as a “voice for and of the
voiceless” there needs to be greater impetus given towards providing and
accessing low cost technology.
<P>We also need to take a closer look at the policy guidelines and work toward
ensuring equity. We need to advocate reform within the policy that will ensure
uniform application provisions for both campus and grass root community radio
stations. For instance, the single window clearance should be applicable for
ngo/cbo applicants alike and not just for campus radio applicants. </P>
<P>There needs to be more inclusiveness – both in spirit and practice – within
the sector. While respecting differences between campus community and grass
roots community stations, we need to build bridges between both to ensure a
vibrant community radio climate in the country.
<P>The relevance of community radio in rural and remote areas is not disputed.
But we also need to ensure that we do not lose sight of the wood for the trees.
Community Radio has a vital role to play in addressing urban poverty and
providing the urban poor and less privileged communities with a powerful voice.
The paucity of frequencies for community radio stations, as articulated by
official quarters, is worrying and needs to be reviewed.
<P>Finally, The Community Radio Forum (CRF is a national membership forum) set
up to promote community radio) needs to be energized and strengthened both in
terms of membership and activities.
<P><FONT color=#0000ff>Are the regulations user friendly? It's been mentioned
that license conditions 'implicitly favour well-funded stations as against
inexpensive low power operations' - how true is this? What are the other
hindrances to setting up CR stations in the country? Are costs the only major
factor? What about training, awareness? </FONT>
<P>The following aspects in the regulations need to be reviewed: The ban on
news. This contradicts and inhibits some of the key objectives of community
radio which seeks to provide local/community information for local/community
needs. Further, it is not clear what constitutes news. As a community radio
advocate pointed out at a recent consultation: “My sister’s wedding is also
news.”
<P>As mentioned earlier, there should be the same criterion for license
application for grass root communities/NGOs, campus communities and agricultural
universities.
<P>The guidelines need to encourage and facilitate the use of low cost
technologies in setting up community radio stations. This assumes particular
significance in the context of transmitters Where BEL and WEBEL remain projected
as a well known authorized dealers. There costs are considerably higher than a
more recent entrant like NOMAD. The regulations should facilitate opening up
this area. Only then would technology become more accessible.
<P><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>Has community radio, thus far, through academic
institutions and NGOs, been an effective tool for generating local
consciousness? Which among the current lot of CR stations operational in the
country, have really been able to make a difference? </FONT></STRONG></P>
<P>As yet, only a couple of grass root community radio stations (Sangham Radio
and Taragram) have launched – and that too only within the past few months.
However, anecdotal data and impact studies have demonstrated indicate that
community based radio/audio has had considerable impact in terms of generating
local consciousness and have been able to make a difference. We also need to
have more impact and action research based studies that would clearly
demonstrate the relevance of community radio.
<P>The examples below (which have been documented in earlier studies) reinforce
the point:
<P>Gender: The Pastapur Media Centre is managed by a team of seven Dalit non
literate women. The initial Namma Dhwani management committee initially
comprised representatives overwhelmingly from women based self help groups. Not
surprisingly, many of the programmes focused on women’s participation in the
political process, women’s right to education, dowry deaths, and female
foeticide.
<P>Identity: “If we have our own radio, the issues that we will talk about will
reach a larger community of women. Radio will enhance the credibility of our
messages by lending them the weight of our medium” Bidakanne Sammamma, Pastapur.
This observation from a Dalit woman in Pastapur underscores a strong correlation
between community radio and identity.
<P>Namma Dhwani is located on the border of three states: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
and Andhra Pradesh. The nearest AIR station is in Bangalore some 100 kms away
and broadcasts in chaste Kannada. The people speak a mix of Tamil, Telegu, and
Kannada. Not surprisingly, Namma Dhwani helps to bridge a critical gap.
<P>Education: Namma Dhwani’s school programme which started in mid 2002 cable
casts programmes made by children to the local Government school. The school
programme has met with such success that the local block development officer
recommended a two hour schedule within the academic time table in 2003 – long
before community radio was legitimized by the law of the land. The fall outs
have also been positive. As the ICTPR study noted, “within a few weeks of cable
casting the programmes to the school, participation from the school children
doubled……”
<P>Aspects of Governance and Culture: The Kutch Mahila Vikas
<P>Sanghathan magazine format programme MUSAFARI resurrected Kutch history, art
and culture and interpreted them within a contemporary context.
<P>Namma Dhwani’s cable casting of a gram panchayat election (local election)
reinforced issues of transparency and accountability. In 2004 Namma Dhwani used
cable casting to lobby with the local panchayat to ensure drinking water was
supplied to the village of Budhikote. </P>
<P>Economic Development and Empowerment: The role of community radio in economic
development has been considerable – both at individual and community levels. As
a community member from Budhikote pointed out, it made her realize that
“information is money.” The following account from the UNESCO ICTPR (ICT for
Poverty Reduction) study explains why.
<P>“Purnima, a lower caste member of the community was bereaved at the loss of
her only cow, also her only means of earning. She had taken out an insurance
policy, but was unaware that she could claim insurance for her dead cow until
she heard one of Namma Dhwani’s programmes on insurance. The community resource
centre helped her to claim her insurance which amounted to Rs 10,000/-.”
<P>Through the process of web browsing, farmers at Namma Dhwani are able to
effectively engage with the market and overcome the middle men and get a “fair”
price for their produce.
<P>The Dalit women from Pastapur share similar sentiments and assert that
narrowcasting has substantially impacted food security. . “We used to eat Korra
and Ragi….Now, thanks to the programmes we are storing the seeds also.”
<P>The experience of the MSSRF Knowledge centre in Pondicherry is similar.
Through a mixed media model information is provided on crops, market prices,
education, health, government entitlements, weather and fishing.”
<P><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>What role should community radio ideally take up
in this country - interactive - where people make their own programmes or the
sermonizing - where education, information can be disseminated?</FONT></STRONG>
<P>Community Radio, as its name suggests, is radio of, for and by the community.
The community should take centre stage stage in terms of management and
ownership. The listeners of programmes are often producers as well.
Consequently, content (whether it is educational or entertainment) is ultimately
determined by the community. In India, community radio has huge potential in
being a voice for the voiceless, less privileged and special interest groups. We
need to ensure that potential is substantiated by performance.
<P><FONT color=#0000ff><STRONG>Can community radio co-exist with All India
Radio? Will it anytime result in conflicting messages given out?
</STRONG></FONT>
<P>In a vibrant democracy, ideally a three tiered media structure based on
equity and inclusiveness should exist – public, private and community. So, there
is absolutely no reason why community radio cannot co-exist with AIR. If
anything, the converse would be odd. </P>
<P>All messages that are disseminated – whether by public, private or community
radio need to conform to existing codes of conduct which will ensure their
veracity. This, in turn, should reckon with any possible issue of conflict.
<P>Should news be allowed on community radio? How can this be monitored, given
that so many community radio stations are poised to go on air shortly?
<P>There is no doubt that news should be allowed. Its ban makes no sense. This
was clearly implied by a government official at a national consultation as early
as March 2007 when he pointed out that freedom of expression (as articulated by
Article 19 of the Indian constitution) cannot be silenced by a pen.
<P>Besides self regulation, codes of conduct would help to ensure the veracity
of news.
<P><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>How do you rate the Indian community radio policy
with that of other nations? </FONT></STRONG>
<P>The good news is that there is a distinct tier for community radio in India.
This is not the case in quite a few other countries where community radio
stations exist. For example, local (private) and community radio stations
conform to the same license application process in Nepal. This does not take
away from the fact that Nepal boasts a rich tradition of independent community
radio stations.
<P>However, there are several issues in the Indian policy which are restrictive
(and unlike policies in other countries) and which need to be reviewed. Some of
these have been mentioned earlier and include:
<P>The ban on news. The need to review and extend the transmitter range
especially in hilly terrain. (The current policy does take cognizance of this to
the extent that it indicates that exceptions to the current 100 watt range can
be made depending on the terrain). There is need to also reconsider the validity
of mobile broadcasting especially in the context of emergencies and disaster
situations.
<P>Another constraint is linked to the age of the NGO applicant. Currently, the
policy permits NGOs that have been in existence for three years to be eligible
for licenses. However, in areas vulnerable to floods and famines, there are
credible and community based NGOs that have come up in the recent past.
<P>Countries like Australia have promoted the diversity of broadcasting by
developing two models for licensing community services: special interest and
geographic. The same is true in countries like Canada, Ireland and South Africa.
Further, in countries like Australia, there is no cost involved in applying for
a community broadcasting license. </P>
<P><STRONG><FONT color=#0000ff>How can revenues be generated innovatively by CR
stations? </FONT></STRONG>
<P>The policy allows for five minutes advertising per hour of programmes which
could generate substantial income. In addition, Community initiatives like Namma
Dhwani have been able to meet their running costs through combining training,
documentation and production into the work of the community radio station.
Sponsored programmes that are relevant to the community and development or
educational could be other sources of revenue generation.
<P><FONT color=#0000ff><STRONG>What is the World Association of Community Radio
Broadcasters doing to promote the cause of community radio in the
country?</STRONG></FONT>
<P>The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) is an
international non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement
and links more than 3000 community radios in 110 countries through direct
membership and national federations. As a network of exchange and solidarity,
AMARC provides consultation, cooperation and promotion of community radio to its
members.
<P>AMARC has already pledged and demonstrated its support to the community radio
movement in India through assisting the proceedings of the national technology
consultation on Community Radio which followed the second meeting of the
Community Radio Forum (CRF) in Bangalore at the beginning of 2008. It has
indicated and plans to support activities of the CRF and its members that are
consistent with the goal of strengthening a vibrant and independent community
radio movement in the country. AMARC believes that this will, in turn,
accelerate the pace of development. Towards this end, AMARC actively
participated in a consultation organized by Action Aid in Bihar that focused on
community radio and disaster management. It is worth pointing out that community
radio and disaster management is a priority area for AMARC. In this context,
Community Radio practitioners like Radio Kalanjiam in South India have
participated recently in an AMARC Asia-Pacific workshop/training programme on
Community Radio, disaster preparedness and poverty reduction that was recently
held in Yog-Jakarta, Indonesia.
<P>The AMARC meet in Bihar recently has decided to 'form a consortium to fight
for the cause of the community radio. It passed a resolution seeking recognition
of citizens rights of setting up of community radio stations on shoestring
budget as component of his constitutional entitlement to freedom of expression'.
Could you elaborate?
<P>More than 40 community based organizations, NGOs, civil society groups,
academia and media representatives participated in this interactive meeting
which was organized by Action Aid. The discussions focused on the role,
relevance and efficacy of community radio – particularly in the context of
disaster and the recent floods in Bihar. The participants affirmed the relevance
of voice as a critical ingredient for poverty eradication and emphasized the
role of freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Indian
constitution. It was in this context that they endorsed the relevance of
community radio technology which would be a “voice for the voiceless” and which
was accessible, affordable and relevant to the poor and marginalized. A core
group has been formed to take the endorsement forward. <BR><BR></FONT><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>Bazlu<BR>_______________________<BR>AHM. Bazlur
Rahman-S21BR<BR>Chief Executive Officer<BR>Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and
Communication(BNNRC)<BR>&<BR>Member, Strategy Council<BR>UN-Global Alliance
for ICT and Development (UN GAID)<BR> <BR>House: 13/1, Road:2, Shaymoli,
Dhaka-1207 <BR>Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh<BR> <BR>Phone:
88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501<BR>01711881647 Fax:
88-02-9138501-105<BR> <BR>E-mail: <A
href="mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net">ceo@bnnrc.net</A>, <A
href="mailto:bnnrc@bd.drik.net">bnnrc@bd.drik.net</A><BR><A
href="http://www.bnnrc.net">www.bnnrc.net</A><BR></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>