[cr-india] when cash registers ring for community radio

[sajan venniyoor]

This is the second press story in a row on how CR is going "to set cash
registers ringing". (Another one had appeared in Indian Express last
week: 'Community
Radio Must Earn
Revenue<http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/community-radio-must-earn-revenue/399479/>
')
Not only is the story below factually incorrect (IMS Noida tells me that
they are already broadcasting ads), this media projection of CRS as a
cash-cow is sending out very wrong signals. Like many others on this list, I
have often been approached by dubious individuals and NGOs in search of
ringing cash registers courtesy 'community radio'. Very often in Delhi --
and recently in Patna -- I've had long, surreal conversations with people
who assume that CR is a kind of cut-price commercial radio station. The
tragedy is that, given the loopholes in the policy, anyone can set up a
network of CR stations and turn them all into low-cost commercial FM
channels without even bending the law.

Unfortunately, it is the genuine community-based group, with little or no
interest in making profits, that's grilled endlessly on their revenue model
and why they don't plan to broadcast round the clock. The other sort, who
prepare a business plan before they think of a programme plan, set the
standards of 'sustainability' that the rest of us are supposed to shoot
for.

I guess it is difficult to tell whether it is cash registers ringing or
bells tolling when one's ears are stuffed with greed and ignorance.

Sajan

'This is Radio Jamia, and you can hear our cash register
ringing'<http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=IndiaSectionPage&id=7a66cbb5-7e23-41a8-91c9-1a187b110da5&&Headline='This+is+Radio+Jamia,+and+you+can+hear+our+cash+register+ringing'>

 Hindustan Times, 24 Dec 2008

Come January, Radio Jamia on 90.4 FM — run by Jamia Millia Islamia
University — will become the first campus community radio station in the
Capital to air commercials.

And this is exclusively meant for the benefit of local products and
commercial ventures.

"Our radio reaches out to people within 10 km. This new feature will provide
a platform for the local tea stall, the nondescript beauty parlour, eating
joint or even a small-time soap manufacturer within the area to popularise
their product or service," said GR Syed, Reader and in-charge of Radio
Jamia. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting allows community radio
stations to have a five-minute commercial spot every hour.

There are five operational community radio stations managed by educational
institutions in Delhi, including those run by Delhi University (DU) and
Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

DU and IIMC don't plan to introduce commercial spots in the near future.
This will make Radio Jamia the first among them to generate revenue through
advertisements. The station currently airs programmes for six hours every
day.

Private institutions, namely Jagan Institute of Management and Jagannath
International Management School, run the other two stations.

"The commercial length will be anywhere between 10 and 30 seconds and we've
decided on a tentative charge of Rs 50 for the same. Currently, our
volunteers and radio jockeys work without pay. We would like to start paying
them a token amount with the money earned through advertisements," said
Syed.

If needed, students of the Mass Communication and Research Centre will also
help produce the commercials.

"They will, however, have to pay the rent for the using the university
studio," said Syed.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=IndiaSectionPage&id=7a66cbb5-7e23-41a8-91c9-1a187b110da5&&Headline='This+is+Radio+Jamia,+and+you+can+hear+our+cash+register+ringing'<http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=IndiaSectionPage&id=7a66cbb5-7e23-41a8-91c9-1a187b110da5&&Headline=%E2%80%98This+is+Radio+Jamia,+and+you+can+hear+our+cash+register+ringing%E2%80%99>
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