Government has high hopes from community radio

Sunday, February 04, 2007
The Indian government is upbeat that its new community radio policy willopen up the airwaves to 2,000 to 3,000 low-powered and locally controlledradio stations in the next few years.Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) N. Baijendra Kumar told a nationalconsultation on community radio held here that it took 'almost a year' for agroup of ministers (GoM) to work out a 'slightly liberal' policy oncommunity radio. 'The interests of commercial FM radio has overtaken theneed 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 to20 stations which we called 'community radio' but were more of campus radiostations.'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 upwith issues like the 'mandatory sharing of cricket (television) feeds to thecountry' and 'Shilpa Shetty's win' in London had also become mediapriorities.'We hope to have at least 2,000-3,000 radio stations really owned bycommunities. Our task is very big. We need thousands of people like you, whoshare the same dream, and believe in (empowering the people) throughcommunication,' he told the meet.The official, speaking on behalf of the government, suggested that the'paranoia' against community radio stations was unjustified, and that thesecould 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. Thesestations 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 thepressures,' he said.Kumar said the government should avoid 'taking over' community radio, asthis could detract from its spirit. Community radio needed 'diversity andlocal content' and listeners knew the credibility of the people talking viait, being from the area, he said.Kumar suggested it was time for India to shift away form the 'voice from theheavens' (Akashvani, as the official broadcaster was known) and listen tothe 'voice of the people.'Organisations present suggested that voluntary organisations or trade unionswithout political affiliations could also be considered for being allowed torun community radio stations.Some suggested allowing mobile stations, to cater to sparsely populatedareas. Others stressed the importance of allowing news broadcasts too oncommunity radio stations. There were queries over why community radiostations should be charged spectrum fees, and why ultra-low poweredtransmitters-like a one-watt one, which reached just 300 metres-neededlicensing when more powerful tools were used without licenses in otherfields anyway.Kumar declined to allow community radio stations to play copyright musicwithout paying royalties, arguing that this would affect the creativity atthe grassroots.Incidentally, the ministry of information and broadcasting, in collaborationwith the United Nations, is planning a two-day workshop for potentialcommunity radio organisations early next month.

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