[cr-india] why distinguish CR from regular FM?

[Subramaniam Vincent]

Dear Sajan, 

~~minor error in earlier message. 

I meant to say that TRAI does NOT seem to be aware of
underwriting/advertising differential. 
Also, second error, I meant to say that perhaps underwriting revenues
could be exempted from commerical-FM terms revenue-sharing, since they
are NOT commercial-quid-pro-quo revenues in the strictest sense. I
realize in your experience (India) that underwriting may have fudged
long enough advertising, but this isn't so everywhere (country). 

~~~the defintions issue: 

My understanding is that TRAI's advisor/others already have access to
the report from the I&B-UNDP meeting and through that, the particular CR
definitions you cite as well. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of
'development/NGO' sounding definitions, but I'd also be the first to
agree that there's little point in having a hair splitting exercise over
perceptions and definitions in themselves. There's plenty of definitions
flying around, and given that TRAI did some upfront research before
setting many of their questions, my guess would be that they are not
unfamiliar with the trends in thinking. 

The question to be asked it seems is WHY TRAI is raising the definition
issue now. They didn't deem it fit to make it an all important question
in the CR paper. (maybe better late than never it will get hashed out
again at the consultations). 

-Subbu 

 -----Original Message-----
From: cr-india-bounces at sarai.net [mailto:cr-india-bounces at sarai.net] On
Behalf Of sajan venniyoor
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 4:27 AM
To: A list on community radio in India
Subject: Re: RE: [cr-india] why distinguish CR from regular FM?


On Fri, 15 Oct 2004 Subramaniam Vincent wrote :
>On the topic of TRAI wanting a definition of community radio: I think
>it's a good thing that the Chairman is asking these questions, because
>that means he ... is actually >thinking about it

Dear Subbu,

Months before the May 2004 workshop, we came out with a draft CR Policy
which attempts a reasonable definition of 'Community' and 'Community
Radio'. This 'consensus document' (as Dr.Vinod Pavarala elegantly calls
his creation) was circulated during the May workshop.

1.1. Definition of Community: Community may be defined as a
non-sectarian group of individuals who are territorially-bound and share
a common socio-economic position/interest; for the purpose of community
radio, the 'community' is constituted by those who reside within the
coverage area of the radio station.

1.2.    Definition of Community Radio: Community radio has three key
aspects: non-profit making, community ownership and management, and
community participation.  Community radio is distinguished by its
limited local reach, low-power transmission, and programming content
that reflects the educational, developmental and cultural needs of the
specific community it serves.


>Also, TRAI does seem to be particularly aware of the difference between
>program underwriting and advertising. In India, there is little
>experience of the latter, in radio. 

The Ministry of I&B is also quite aware of the difference between
programme underwriting (which we call sponsorship) and advertising, and
they have banned both in the existing guidelines. 
"4.9:  The licensee shall not air any advertisement or sponsored
programmes."

In practical terms, the difference between sponsorship and advertising
is so negligible as to be non-existent. However, we ought to make a
clear distinction between broadcast revenue and non-broadcast revenue,
and it is a moot point whether the Govt. can expect a 4% share of
revenue from off-air activities like the sale of CDs and mementos,
donations, ticket-sales from concerts and what-have-you.

Sajan.