Introduction: Among all present media categories such as print, electronic and other social media tools, Community Radio Station has maximum potential to grow along with the growth in socio-economic sector in our country. Presently, about two hundred Community Radio Stations are functioning in India and according to some experts, the number could increase to about four thousand stations by 2020! Community Radio Stations came into existence in the country when government of India approved a policy for grant of licenses for setting up stations for well-established educational institutions in 2002. The policy has further been broad-based by bringing in ‘Non-profit’ organizations etc under its ambit to enable greater participation of the civil society on issues relating to development and social change.
Objective: Community Radio Stations are small radio stations with 50W FM Transmitter in 1+1 rack Single or Single Transmitter equipment with self-supported Transmitter Tower upto 30 metre height. Under the present law, they are to be run by Non-Government Organisations, reputed educational institutes such as universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, research institutes etc. The objective are giving voice to the voiceless sections of the society and democratizing communication on a community scale. Briefly, following are basic objectives of CRS: Providing access to information to villagers, creating radio enabled literacy programs, providing a platform to students and the community at large to exploit the potential of this creative media, creating research oriented programs in sciences, technology, humanities and social sciences, social development of the area by focusing on relevant social issues, creating programs on Health Care, Counseling, Vocational Training, Environment etc and beginning the process of creating a virtual audio repository of the Institute and its people in the form of a verbal history.
How to start a CRS: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting invites applications for CRS twice a year from all eligible applicants in the country. According to the ministry, the cost of establishment of a CRS is Rs. Fifteen Lakhs for which fifty percent subsidy was granted earlier. Recently, the Minister of I&B Venkaiah Naidu announced that the subsidy amount for North-Eastern States would be increased to ninety percent. The remaining ten percent would have to be borne by the concerned license holders. Details of the scheme can be downloaded from the Ministry’s official websitewww.mib.nic.in
Feasibility and Revenue Model: Interested applicants working with NGOs and authorities of reputed educational institutes can conduct preliminary survey for the localities and places in which they contemplate to set up the project. Details of projects and other technical guidance can be obtained from the Ministry of I&B. According to the provisions of CRS scheme, income generated from operating the project can only be utilized for upgradation of infrastructure of the station and improvement of its services. The possible revenues sources in the case of Arunachal Pradesh would be from business communities through advertising, district administrations and various state government and Public Sector Undertakings. The rate of advertisement is also fixed by the ministry. Apart from this, Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) under Ministry of I&B extends support to such stations through advertising in an effort to promote such social communication projects in the country.
Role of CRS: In Arunachal Pradesh, some district headquarters and the capital complex region can be feasible locations for starting CRS projects. Community Radio Stations are the most democratic form of media available as these are intended to give voice to the marginalized sections of the society through their active involvement in the entire process. Airwaves are available free and every community has limitless scope for communication and entertainment.
Community Radio Stations can greatly help in providing a fillip to local music field, both folk and modern, for which presently All India Radio serves as the popular medium. It can trigger hidden creative talents of local artists and musicians and help in harnessing such creative talents for productive social activities. Another prospective service of CRS is opening up of communication facilities to a wider public through their active involvement at local levels on various social and developmental subjects concerning their daily life. Besides, both local administration and the respective state governments can reach out to people through these centers more effectively.
Source and Credit :- http://www.arunachaltimes.in/community-radio-station-an-emerging-social-communication-platform/
Forwarded by :- Shri. Jainendra Nigam PB News Desk prasarbharati.newsdesk@gmail.com