The latest issue of I4D magazine is on Community Radio - Empowering the Community <http://i4donline.net/October08/content.asp>. The issue contains reviews of two campus radio stations, interviews with senior officials of CEMCA /COL (the Oct '08 issue was published with logistical and content support from CEMCA), articles on the CR movement in Bangladesh and Pakistan, a report on AIR's role in the Bihar floods and an excellent piece by Danny Geeverghese<http://www.i4donline.net/articles/current-article.asp?Title=PANOS-South-Asia&articleid=2171&typ=Features>of Panos on "the incongruities and difficulties" inherent in India's CR licensing regime.
Of the Community Radio Forum's somewhat ill-fated attempt to set up three Emergency Radio Stations in Bihar, Danny writes:* "Recently the Community Radio Forum (CRF) attempted to set up 'emergency radio stations' in Supaul, Araria and Saharsa – three flood affected districts in Bihar. There was tremendous support from bureaucrats, politicians and academicians for what would have been a first for Indian broadcasting. The initial bonhomie quickly faded and acquired colours of the walls of Shastri Bhawan which houses the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Delhi – a dull grey. The modus operandi and primary purpose was to set up and run the three stations temporarily to help reunite families separated by the floods, assist in aid distribution and help with the dissemination of evacuation/rehabilitation plans. After three months, the stations would have been dismantled. This was not to be. The government file has disappeared, blending into the grey of the walls of Shastri Bhawan. The qu**estion is not about policy as it is about reaching out to those who are suffering. When over three million people are affected by the breach of the Kosi River, a solution may come in the form of radio, food or emergency supplies. Recognising this and rising to the occasion is what one would expect from a Central Government that announced aid to the tune of INR 10 billion instead of throwing rule after rule from the book. Should programme makers and community broadcasters not have gone ahead with the initiative?" *Sajan
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