[cr-india] INTERVIEW: CR facilitates debate...

[Sanjay]

Some indications are trickling about the possibility of a policy for ngos in
the community radio area. Mention has already been made by some members
about the comparison of the radio sector with the telecom sector and how the
overvalued frequencies are now being considered non viable by the bidders.
Market oriented communication initiatives have this danger. The implication
of such withdrawals is the fact that it effectively denies the options to
smaller players. The government may rationalise such decisions as a way of
keeping the non serious bidders out of the fray. In this process it throws
out many institutions and groups that may want to use the medium for
information and educational needs.

    One parallel that can be drawn again from the telecom sector is the
worldwide acceptance of Universal service obligation wherein it is
understood that all telecom services need not always be looked at from
commercial angle. Accessibility to areas and sections of the society that
need telecom for their needs have to be provided as a matter of policy by
the provider. If trade information is to be believed all the major telecom
players have gone back on this commitment.  This implies that the
convergence of market oriented policies and social sector needs is difficult
if not impossible to achieve. More than trying to compel a license holder to
fulfil this obligation, the government can pursue a dual policy of providing
licenses to the social sector on a different set of parameters. These
parameters and necessary safeguards are not difficult to evolve and many
interventions have been made on this network that provide some guidelines.

Middle class intellectuals have various views on this subject. However, it
is worthwhile to recall a visit to the DDS media centre recently. General
Narasamma as we all call her after articulating the need and scope for a
radio of their own remarked, "Sir, many people have  come and gone and have
also talked. The question is will there be a license for us to run the
station." The tucked away news item in some newspapers may have an answer
and let us hope the policy is announced.
-----Original Message-----
From: Frederick Noronha <fred at bytesforall.org>
To: cr-india at sarai.net <cr-india at sarai.net>
Date: Monday, February 25, 2002 5:55 PM
Subject: [cr-india] INTERVIEW: CR facilitates debate...


>COMMUNITY RADIO FACILITATES DEBATE, LEADING TO CONFLICT-PREVENTION
>
>Jo van der Spek is a radio journalist, program maker & tactical media
>consultant. Based in Amsterdam, she has had experience in building
community
>radio stations in distant Africa. Some of Jo's comments in an interview
with
>Frederick Noronha
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>QUESTION: Jo, could you draw a picture of the global scenario? How many
>countries globally have already opened up to community radio?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Technically practically all, politically and economically possibly 30%,
>culturally it's losing ground in the West and gaining in developing
>countries.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>QUESTION: Of those which have opened up, which are doing well? Could you
>give some examples?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>I believe there are good practices in Sub-Sahara Africa. I helped to found
a
>campus radio in Lesotho one year after licensing became possible. It went
>quite fine. South-Africa is spoiled by too much (donor) money, bureaucracy
>and other specific interests.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>QUESTION:  One major fear among the decision-makers here seems to be that
>radio could be 'misused' by secessionists and others. Is this a valid
>concern? If not, why?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Basically community radio is a tool for democracy. It facilitates
expression
>and debate. This is a fundamental way of conflict-prevention and a
>fundamental principle of democracy.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>QUESTION: Could you describe how community-radio opened up in the
>Netherlands?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>A socio-political wing developed from urban activists like provo, squatters
>and media-activists. Building a network of pirate radio, internet and other
>platforms.
>
>A popular-commercial wing, playing mainly national folklore or mainstream
>pop emerged in provincial areas. Ranging from family-stations to
>pirate-radio.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>QUESTION: What do you think about the future of community radio in (i) Asia
>as a whole (ii) particularly South Asia?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>A great future, of course!
>
>**************************************
>FOOTNOTE: Jo can be contacted at  H. Seghersstraat 46 1072 LZ Amsterdam,
the
>Netherlands tel. 31.20.6718027 mob. +31.6.51069318 jo at xs4all.nl
>http://www.xs4all.nl/~jo
>
>
>
>
>
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