Good morning india!

 

 

Not much has been spoken about the low budget and non-commercial community radio stations which became popular in the US (since early 1960s), in spite of hippie movement and cultural experimentation that was going on there at that time. In India, however, a concerted effort to build up community radio stations started in the aftermath of Supreme Court ruling in 1995, stating “airwaves are public property.” And in 2004 the first community radio was launched in India called Anna FM where the programs were produced by the students of Anna University. Not so lately, in 2006, Community Radio Guidelines came into existence granting license for 4,000 community radio stations only to NGOs and educational institutions. Ever since the licenses are on offer, the Ministry has received 297 applications.

Community Radio policy is a humble effort to radio service which is a non-commercial and non-profit making venture unlike their FM counterpart. Any organisation complying by this criteria, except individuals, political parties and banned organisations; can apply for the license. Nonetheless, there is no government funding and there are stringent restrictions on funding by other means. This is in sharp contrast to the West, where restrictions on obtaining funds are much less. Despite that, community radio stations in the United States are sources of profit making and jazzy National Public Radio is allowed to take contributions and sponsorship from corporations and the government. As per the latest available information, there are around 450 fully-licensed community radio stations running in Australia. A 2002 report found that 20,000 Australians (which is equivalent to 0.1 per cent of Australia’s population) are involved as volunteers in the community radio sector on a regular basis. This reaps out economical benefit worth $145 million annually.

Coming back to India, various community workers have come together under the aegis of the 'Community Radio Forum' to organise training & support for community radio stations, as well as to continue petitioning for a more proactive community radio policy. This concept is in its infancy and it is likely to grow in such a diverse culture and lifestyle, as it is meant for social and human development.