Even as the government has permitted non-governmental organisations
to set up community radio stations (CRS), it is working to clear the
list of applicants in the field of education who have applied for
licenses for establishing, maintaining and operating such stations.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, has signed an
agreement with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for setting up
a CRS at Media Technology Centre in its campus which is expected to be
operational within three months.
The CRS will serve the surrounding populace comprising of
students, housewives, skilled and unskilled labourers, petty traders
and private and government employees as well as retired persons. It
will disseminate knowledge on health care, agriculture, science and
technology in addition to the literacy programmes for children and
adults. The station will provide a platform for creative and innovative
programme making and run awareness campaigns on social issues. It will
also have group discussions on contemporary topics.
Ministry sources told Radioandmusic.com that out of a total of
around 140 CRS proposals at various stages of implementation, a total
of around 40 NGOs have so far got the Ministry’s permission to set up
and operate Community Radio Stations in different parts of the country
but the finalisation of details is at various stages of implementation.
The Central Government in December 2006 had liberalised the
Policy on Community Radio by bringing in the civil society and
voluntary organizations, agricultural universities, ICAR institutions,
Krishi Vigyan Kendras etc under its ambit. The policy was liberalised
to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues of
development and social change. Earlier, only educational institutions
were permitted to launch community radio channels. The government in late 2007
also announced that existing
community radio operators can take advantage of the revised guidelines
for new operators and get their broadcast permission extended to five
years from the present three. In the new guidelines, limited advertising and
announcements
relating to local events, local businesses and services and employment
opportunities shall be allowed.
The maximum duration of such limited advertising will be
restricted to Five minutes per hour of broadcast. The detailed
Guidelines and proforma for application are available on the Ministry’s
website www.mib.nic.in .
http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/iit-kanpur-start-cr-station
__________________________Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India
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