‘Nothing reaches out like radio’

Bangalore: It is easy to get carried away by the policies formulated by the Indian Government which favour the growth of community radio. However, it takes some level of objectivity to realise its limitations and point out the existing anomalies. Even as civil society organisations celebrate and pontificate over new strategies to adopt, Steve Buckley of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) points out that the policy itself leaves much to be desired. Speaking to The Hindu on his visit to India to assess and understand the community radio scene here, Buckley says that the policy is restrictive in nature. “The fact that any organisation starting a station needs to be at least three years old does not provide a conducive atmosphere for the growth of new concepts,” he explains. He draws attention to the fact that these stations are not allowed to broadcast news, which, he says, is a concept not prevalent anywhere in the world. “In recent years, owing to the dotcom boom and bust, somehow people have started recognising radio as a key medium,” he asserts. He uses examples from well networked and technologically advanced countries such as South Korea which have taken to community radio in a big way, and Mozambique where over a 100 community radio stations have sprung up after the end of civil war. He believes in the power of radio and more so in the prospects of it as a tool to bridge barriers. For most of us, the concept of community radio — with stations such as Namma Dhwani in Budhikote and Kalanjiam in Nagapattinam — largely belongs to the rural realm. Buckley thinks that there is enormous potential for it in the urban context as well. The Sheffield Radio station which he runs caters to refugees, migrants, artists and provides a forum for everyone to interact. So, is community radio comparable to the trend in commercial radio programmes which are turning more participatory? Buckley disagrees. He feels that all said and done, commercial stations are motivated only by commercial imperatives which do not have any development value. Participation is certainly the key. “When you put ownership in the hands of the listener you get a very unique dynamic,” he explains animatedly. Buckley is aware of the countless hurdles faced by community radio in India. “Namma Banuli,” the Karnataka State Government’s initiative which allocated funds worth Rs 1 crore to prop up community radio has not had many takers. “For this to take off the cost factor needs to be worked out and we must move towards making equipment and infrastructure affordable,” he added. Pritam Sinha writes All the hullabaloo about community radio scenario in India has turned the issue into one of the most intensely debated topics of late. The simple freedom to express ourselves by having our very owned radio station has turned into some sort of a national cry for democratic freedom. In this situational background, when a world figure like Steve Buckley visits the country and his interview gets published in a major national newspaper, as an old radio enthusiast, one would like to go with him that "nothing reaches out as radio". Community Radio is the new media and for a thriving democracy like India. It has the potential to change how the last mile person can use it to his or her empowerment. Also, it will give a huge fillip to the goal of bridging the digital divide. Already, mobiles are making people hear the world in different perspective. Community Radio will give them a tool to address issues the mainstream media has less or no time to look into. Source: The Hindu and Digital Empowerment Foundation

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