[cr-india] Government has high hopes from community radio

[Frederick Noronha]

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/27129.html

Government has high hopes from community radio
Posted on : Sun, 04 Feb 2007 09:12:00 GMT | Author : Indo Asian News Service
News Category : India (Business) 	
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New Delhi, Feb 4 The Indian government is upbeat that its new
community radio policy will open up the airwaves to 2,000 to 3,000
low-powered and locally controlled radio stations in the next few
years.

Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) N. Baijendra Kumar told a national
consultation on community radio held here that it took 'almost a year'
for a group of ministers (GoM) to work out a 'slightly liberal' policy
on community radio. 'The interests of commercial FM radio has
overtaken the need for community radio a little bit,' he conceded.
'For the last few years (under the earlier 'community radio' policy)
we managed to set up only 19 to 20 stations which we called 'community
radio' but were more of campus radio stations.'

On Nov 16, 2006, the government rolled out a new community radio
policy, which is still be readied for implementation.

Kumar took a dig at the national 'priorities', saying he had been
caught up with issues like the 'mandatory sharing of cricket
(television) feeds to the country' and 'Shilpa Shetty's win' in London
had also become media priorities.

'We hope to have at least 2,000-3,000 radio stations really owned by
communities. Our task is very big. We need thousands of people like
you, who share the same dream, and believe in (empowering the people)
through communication,' he told the meet.

The official, speaking on behalf of the government, suggested that the
'paranoia' against community radio stations was unjustified, and that
these could meet the diversity and aspirations of the people in rural
areas.

Kumar suggested that community radio stations could be built
inexpensively. 'We don't need a Rs.1.2-million studio in a
Rs.2-million building. These stations should be within the range of
Rs.50,000 to Rs.5 million,' he said. 'People should decide what they
want.'

He pointed to fears 'among some' about opening up community radio in
'Naxalite' or border areas. 'But a vast country like this can
withstand the pressures,' he said.

Kumar said the government should avoid 'taking over' community radio,
as this could detract from its spirit. Community radio needed
'diversity and local content' and listeners knew the credibility of
the people talking via it, being from the area, he said.

Kumar suggested it was time for India to shift away form the 'voice
from the heavens' (Akashvani, as the official broadcaster was known)
and listen to the 'voice of the people.'

Organisations present suggested that voluntary organisations or trade
unions without political affiliations could also be considered for
being allowed to run community radio stations.

Some suggested allowing mobile stations, to cater to sparsely
populated areas. Others stressed the importance of allowing news
broadcasts too on community radio stations. There were queries over
why community radio stations should be charged spectrum fees, and why
ultra-low powered transmitters-like a one-watt one, which reached just
300 metres-needed licensing when more powerful tools were used without
licenses in other fields anyway.
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