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<DIV><SPAN id=title><FONT size=4>Government to Consider Setting up of
‘Community Radio Fund’ - Ambika Soni<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR>Minister Inaugurates First
National Community Radio Sammelan and Exhibition<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR>107 Community Radio Stations
Showcase Functional Profile Through Poster Exhibition<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR>Achievement Awards Presented
in Four Categories for the First Time</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Verdana>Union Minister of Information and
Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni said, the Ministry will consider setting up
of “Community Radio Fund”. This would be based on the model followed in
several countries where the setting up of such a fund has been a success.
For this purpose, the issue would be taken up on high priority with the
key agencies such as the Planning Commission and concerned ministries. The
setting up of such a fund would ensure the sustainability and enhanced
outreach of the Community Radio Movement within the country. The
modalities would be completed within a stipulated time frame. Smt. Soni
stated this while inaugurating the first National Community Radio Sammelan
for operational Community Radio Stations in India here today.<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>Speaking on the occasion,
the minister added that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would
also prepare a proposal whereby a certain portion of infrastructural costs
of setting up of Community Radio stations within constituencies of MPs
could be met from the MPLADS Scheme. The suggestion was mooted in view of
the enhanced allocation within the scheme recently. Once the proposal was
examined and prepared, Smt.Soni said that the concerned ministry i.e.
Ministry of Programme Implementation would be approached to examine the
merits of the case. At the same time, Hon’ble MPs would also be sensitized
on the merits of setting up such institutions within their respective
constituencies. Such a move would enable quality information to be given
in a form, content, dialect and language which the people understood.<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>Regarding financial
sustainability, the minister said that in order to facilitate this aspect,
not only guidelines for empanelment of Community Radio Stations with DAVP
had been approved, efforts were also being made to increase the
advertisement rates which were abysmally low at the moment. For this
purpose, a committee had been set up under the Economic Advisor of the
Ministry to fast track the proposal on priority. This would enable the
operational radio stations to generate revenue from advertisements. The
minister called upon the participating agencies to generate maximum
revenue from advertisements and assured the support of DAVP in
streamlining advertisements to this medium.<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>Speaking on the potential
of the medium, Smt. Soni said the pro active functioning ensured quality
information on flagship schemes of the government to the people.
Similarly, it would also make the local community conscious of their
rights and entitlement. As a medium of communication, it would engage the
local communities with empowering information thereby leading to national
integration, pride and identity. The goal of each community radio station
was to promote self esteem not only within the community but each
individual. As part of the outreach process, the ministry had undertaken a
roadmap to create an awareness generation programme. The Minister added
that since 2007, 28 state level workshops had been organized. The result
had been quite positive as in the last one year 216 new applications had
been received. In view of the success, the process would be taken
further.<SPAN class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>The poster
exhibition inaugurated by Smt. Soni profiles the operational proficiency
of the functional community radio stations in the country. It also
profiled the Broadcast content of each radio station, the capital and
sustenance profile and listed the success stories of each participating
institution. Approximately 68 functional radio stations are participating
in the exhibition. As part of the Sammelan, the minister presented four
awards on the following issues: Thematic Award was given to Rudi No Radio-
community radio operated by SEWA, Ahmedabad, SEWA was also awarded the
prize in community engagement, Bundelkhand Radio operated by Development
Alternatives won the award for promoting local culture and Radio active
the community radio operated by Jain University, Bangaluru won the award
of sustainability business model. A map of functional community radio
stations was also released by Smt.Soni on the occasion.<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>In three days
deliberations discussions would be held on issues concerning Policy
changes in the existing Community Radio Guidelines, quality of content
being broadcast from the Community Radio Stations, strategies to engage
community in programme production, funding and sustainability, encouraging
and popularizing local cultural talent etc. A Poster Exhibition has also
been organized on the sidelines of the Sammelan.<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>The consultation will
bring together community broadcasters and other key stakeholders such as
non-governmental organizations, media activists, academia and the policy
makers to take stock of the achievements of this burgeoning sector of
radio broadcasting in India, and explore ways to take this movement to the
next level.<SPAN class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>The
consultation seeks to analyse, assess the current Community Radio Policy
in achieving the goals of disseminating information, strengthening
grass-root democracy and fulfilling social development objectives and
discuss issues of financial & social sustainability of Community Radio
Stations. The discussions will help design joint action strategies and
define the role of organizations such as UNESCO, CRF, CEMCA, various
Government Departments and other partners in strengthening the CR
movement.<SPAN class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>The
outcome from the consultation is expected to focus on :<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>• Enhancement of
stakeholders’ coordination in their effort to make community radio
sustainable and more effective partner in development<BR><BR>• Increasing
scope of collaboration between organizations working on developmental
issues<SPAN class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR><BR>• Furthering
the use of new media and innovative/appropriate technology in the
community radio sector<BR><BR>The Sammelan has brought together 107
functional Community Radio Stations from across the country, Policy makers
from various Government Departments like Health, Rural Development,
Information Technology, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Panchayati
Raj, CAPART etc. Several UN, National and other International
organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, One World Asia,
AMARC, Community Radio Forum etc. are also participating in the
Sammelan.<SPAN
class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN><BR>-----------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Bazlu<BR>_________________________<BR>AHM. Bazlur
Rahman-S21BR<BR>Chief Executive Officer<BR>Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and
Communication (BNNRC)<BR>[NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN
Economic and Social Council]<BR>& <BR>Head, Community Radio Academy
<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>Cell:
01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105<BR>E-mail: <A
href="mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net">ceo@bnnrc.net</A> <A
href="http://www.bnnrc.net">www.bnnrc.net</A></FONT></DIV>
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