Communicator Volume LII (1), January–March 2017

Contents

1. People’s Empowerment through Radio: 03 Community Radio as a Participatory Communication Tool Esther S. Kar*

2. Researching Community Radio: 21 Reminiscences of a Conceptual and Empirical Journey Kanchan K. Malik

3. Insights from the Past: 39 Exploring the Future of Community Radio in India Shweta Prajapati

4. A Home away from Home: 53 Migrants, their Voice and Community Radio N. Ramakrishnan

5. Community Radio: An Emerging Tool for Science 69 Communication Bijay Basant Patro

* The Editorial Team of Communiator would like to thank and appreciate the support provided by Esther S. Kar for her contribution and coordination for this issue.

Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Communicator

03

1 Director General, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 001, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract

It has been over 20 years since the Hon’ble Supreme Court gave its landmark judgement declaring airwaves as public property. Since February 1996, Government of India has made a conscious effort to open up the airwaves to a diversity of media and also create a space for the Community Media. In the context of development communication, the Community Radio as a participatory communication tool has proved its effectiveness and reach and created a paradigm for involvement of the beneficiary in the decision making process. This study discusses how Community Radio sector in India has empowered and given voice to the most marginalised and ensured their participation in the development process.

Keywords Community radio, Empowerment, Voice, Social mobilisation, People’s participation. ommunity Radio is by definition a broadcasting system established by 5

the efforts of a specific or identified community, owned and operated Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Communicator Cby the community for the community’s welfare. According to Girard (2001), it is a kind of public service broadcasting but serves a community essentially small (by the very limited capacity of its transmitter) rather than a nation. Tabing (2002) describes community radio station as one which is “operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community”.

Community radio is a third-tier of broadcasting alongside public radio and private, commercial broadcasting. It gives marginalized communities the opportunity to express their views often ignored by mainstream media. As per the UK Frequency Allocation Table (2013) prepared by the United Kingdom independent regulatory body, OFCOM and the Frequency Allocation table of Federal Communications Commission (FCC, 2015), the independent regulatory in the United States of America they administer spectrum for all three tiers of broadcasting Public Service Radio, Private Commercial radio and Community Radio.

Community radio has three key aspects: non-profit making, community ownership and management, and community participation. As community groups have defined it (World Bank Institute, 2007), “community radio is distinguished by its limited local reach, low-power transmission, and programming content that reflects the educational, developmental and cultural needs of the specific community it serves”.

Community radio stations across the world have come up as a genre trying to break through the commercial broadcasts driven by audience ratings and advertisement revenue and government controlled public stations or even stereotyped National Public Radio, which fails to address the needs of ethnic communities or communities struggling to make ends meet. Community Radio is a new experiment in India although using the National Broadcaster for social mobilisation through radio is as old as the early seventies when farm radio broadcasts were regularly aired on All India Radio1 (AIR).

Farm and Home Unit of All India Radio was started with a view to serve the farming community by motivating them through sustained broadcasts, to adopt and practice scientific methods of cultivation for increasing Food Production and Rural Economic Development (Thamizhpparithi & Subramani, 1964).

Media and development

Media’s role in human development is clarified by Amartya Sen’s (1999) Communicator 6 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 was “Listen,Discuss, Act.” The forum wasorganized in such awaythat of agriculturalproduction, health andhygiene. The themeoftheradioforum to create awareness amongruralpeopleaboutvariousimprovedtechniques community development. This wasanexperiment in utilizing broadcasting region as a pilot project was hailed as a cost effective method ofThe RuralRadioForumlaunchedin1956,covering 150 villages in Pune bringing about Rural RadioForum types oflearningopportunities. education programmes, ruraldevelopment and alsoforprovidingvarious forrural development continuedwithindependenceandbeyond. technologies broadcast radio on using emphasis The broadcasts. and social mobilisation for development were important pillars of these radio inthehumongoustaskofnation building. Public communication using began Radio after India All broadcaster, Soon history. radio national long the a Independence has radio through mobilisation social India In Radio andsocialmobilisation situations, placesandtimethandidpeopleinanyprevioushistorical epoch”. greater istheircapability to imaginethemselvesasstrangepersonsin modernisation process. Henotes,“aspeoplearemoreexposedtomedia,the associated withdevelopmentalwork(Schramm,1964). demand by multiplying the messages and reaching each and every worker Modern communication technologies, would beofgreatusetomeet the their purposeoraim. According tohim,itshouldnever beaonewaytraffic. meeting is community the not or whether finding to implementation helps successful communication for development as hesaysaproperfeedback development. Schramm has putalot of importance on feedback for For Schramm it was their content that was the key to their use in (1964) discussedthe role mass media play in development communication. freedom. needs. Economic decision-making is improved in an atmosphere of political and lead tomoreinformedchoicesvoice ofthedispossessed abouteconomic responsiveness to public concerns. As per Sen (1999), the free press amplifies outcomes andgoodgovernance. This isbroughtaboutbydeveloping argument thatpolitical freedoms leadtoimprovedeconomicdevelopment India hashadalongandrichtradition of usingradiofornon-formal The massmediaaccording to Lerner(1958)playsacrucial roleinthe book his in Schramm Wilbur Mass Media and National Development face to face two way communication was possible. Rural programming 7

in regional dialects formed an important part of the overall programme Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Communicator content. However, as AIR became more and more centralized with rigid rules and programming guidelines it lost touch with its listeners. The Chanda Committee2 describes the programmes as dull and drab and low on variety.

Community radio and empowerment

Several studies have examined the role of media and development and some studies have looked at community radio as a process of democratization of media. A study by Pavarala and Malik (2007) talks about the magic of community radio stations like Namma Dhwani3. Pavarala (2003) and Noronha (2003) in another study reflect on the contribution of stations like Namma Dhwani and the Pastapur radio experiment4 in South India. The studies are largely based on visits and interactions with the community radio participants and reflect on how groups utilize such small scale broadcast media for developmental and cultural purposes.

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcaster’s (AMARC) study, Community Radio Impact Evaluation: Removing Barriers, Increasing Effectiveness (2007) has found that the main social impact of community radio is voice for the poor and marginalized. Another important study on community radio is Empowering Radio by the World Bank Institute (2007) spread across five countries in three continents: Colombia, Peru, Mali, South Africa and Nepal has tried to address a whole range of issues from the radio station’s relationship with the community in terms of programming, ownership and control, through management of the stations by different types of volunteers (including training and capacity building) to accountability and good governance and sustainable financing. This study finds that community radio has at least four roles: an advocacy role in which it defends the interests of the population; as a public forum for monitoring and discussion of issues related to accountability and governance; a partner of government seeking to inform and involve the community and as a provider of services that result in a better delivery of public services in domains such as health and education.

Across many continents and in several countries, community radio stations have been fostering community participation and creating an appetite for transparent and accountable governance. “It (community radio) aims not only to participate in the life of the community but also allow the community to participate in the life of the station….at the level of ownership, programming, management direction and financing” (Girard, 2001).

AMARC (2007) conducted a social impact assessment of community radio through a participatory action research process that involved 927 CR Communicator 8 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 community radiostation( learning experience toward theobjective of setting up anindependently run kit to VOICES todoexperimental broadcasts ofprogramsforahands-on available a portable production and transmission‘briefcase radio station’ Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) made (NGOs) and other non-profit groups to run CR stations. Subsequently, United were alsomade for granting of licenses to NonGovernmentOrganisations allocate regular airtime for community broadcasting was raised. Requests signed evenasasuggestionthat broadcasting was local stationsshould AIR for suchanaction. A declaration calling for theestablishment of community howcommunity study to 1996 radio could be relevant to India, and to deliberate on policies appropriate in September associations not-for-profit a gathering of radio broadcasters, policy planners, media professionals, and The Bangalore-based communication campaign group, “VOICES” convened Social mobilizationthrough ICT Beginnings ofcommunityradioinIndia development aswellbroadcastingaims. agencies, NGOsandcitizens to workinpartnershipfurthercommunity radio acts as avehicle for thecommunity and voluntary sector, civil society, the national issuesofimportance. Inmanypartsoftheworld,community even leadtoascenariowherecommunities will beincreasingly awareof ownership, programming,andthecommunityitisauthorizedtoserve”. creators and contributors of media. Moreover, it is characterized by its own stories,toshareexperiences and,inamedia-rich world, tobecome a mechanism for enabling individuals, groups, andcommunities to tell their process. As Fraserand Estrada(2001)havesaid“Community radioprovides specific media and also be able to articulate and participate in the development native language. Inthisway, peoplebecome creators oftheir owncommunity with issuespertaining to their own neighbourhood,broadcast in their own Social Radio Community the Impact studywere: of findings key the of Some stakeholders. In awayitalsobroadenstheir horizonsofthinking andovertime may Community radio makes it feasible for communities to connect viably 5. CommunityRadioiseffectiveinempoweringwomen. 4. CommunityRadioiseffectiveinachievingdevelopmentgoals, 3. CommunityRadioiseffectiveinensuringpropergovernance, 2. CommunityRadioiseffectiveinpovertyreduction, 1. CommunityRadioisavoiceforthepoorandmarginalized, Pavarala & Malik, 2007). Communicator 9 commercial and community sectors for opening up the spectrum allocation to the community and to treat the airwaves as a public good. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgement declaring airwaves as public property in February 1995 gave a fillip to the demands of the in India. policy guidelines. policy guidelines. community radio community policy was referred to a group was referred policy community radio community community radio community restricted eligibility to educational eligibility but restricted guidelines Namma Dhwani and Sangam Radio are two successful experiments in experiments two successful are Sangam Radio and Dhwani Namma In Uttarakhand, young men and women broadcast programmes that In Uttarakhand, With the development of ICT technologies, communities in India began India in communities technologies, ICT of development the With By early 2003, the Government of India released the first set of The Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgement declaring airwaves as public as airwaves declaring Judgement Court Supreme Hon’ble The Development Society runs a community radio station in Pastapur in Andhra Andhra in Pastapur in station radio runs a community Society Development like Radio, is much origins of Sangam The Radio. Sangam Pradesh called Budhikote in Karnataka managed by the community since 2001 (Pavarala for Namma Dhwani and a radio license has & Malik, 2007). MYRADA Deccan transmitter. August 2009 using a low power since is broadcasting using local radio on ICT mode. Namma Dhwani was a cable radio station in mode. Namma Dhwani was a cable radio using local radio on ICT – played back by community volunteers armed with cassette players – at players with cassette armed volunteers by community back – played free to air radio- on a dedicated points; and are also broadcast meeting local Network (Maara, 2008). Radio Worldspace channel on the for-development inform the public about developments such as Panchayat elections, and record and elections, Panchayat as such developments about public the inform are narrowcast The programmes of the hills. and folk literature the historical Pradesh harnessed the ICT technology to narrow cast programmes to nearby technology to Pradesh harnessed the ICT microphones and speakers loud and technology using improvised villages (Pavarala & Malik, 2007). Tuk experiment in Sri Lanka which uses an improvised three wheeler and wheeler three which uses an improvised Sri Lanka in experiment Tuk messages through loud speakers, relevant socially a computer to broadcast Andhra Society in in Karnataka and Deccan Development MYRADA to explore these technologies to reach the community and make a diversity to reach the community to explore these technologies Tuk tastes and demands. Much like the of programmes depending on local 2006, permitting NGOs, educational and agricultural institutions to own and institutions NGOs, and agricultural educational 2006, permitting operate CR stations. UNESCO out a framework for in 2004 to work draft In October 2005, the of ministers, and finally approved by the Union Cabinet on November 16, academicians, and individuals to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were made by voluntary organizations, radio. Representations community and Information of Ministry the to individuals and academicians, (MIB) which led the MIB to organize a workshop supported by and UNDP outside the ambit of the then released of the then released outside the ambit a workshop in Hyderabad organized an NGO Society, Deccan Development space for to allocate the government sponsored by UNESCO urged in 2000 community radio community to remain continued communities voiceless and Marginalized institutions. community sectors for opening up the spectrum allocation to the community community the to allocation spectrum opening up the for sectors community a public good. the airwaves as and to treat property in February 1995 gave a fillip to the demands of the commercial and commercial the of demands the to fillip a gave 1995 February in property Communicator 10 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 who arethemselveschange agentsbecauseoftheempowermentbrought the radiostation has employed radio reportersfromthelocal community disseminate vital information on several social issues. But more importantly Radio Dhadkan,LalitLok Vani andRadioChanderiki Awaaz. important participatorycommunicationtool. an as working and region the to specific practices agricultural sustainable the local idiom. The radio station is also actively involved in propagating of the region besides promoting progressive development concepts by using heritage cultural rich the supporting and Bundeli in produced programmes stories, shareexperiencesandsolveproblems. women inprogramme production. The radio serves as aplatform to share (an NGO)andtheruralcommunities of Orchhahasinvolved a numberof Development Alternatives with partnership in working Bundelkhand Radio other community radio stations incontent development and radioreporting. to training offers also station radio The Bundelkhand. the of districts Jhansi association withthecommunities livingin the regionof Tikamgarh and to the interests ofthe communities, the community radio ismanaged in Madhya Orchha, in Pradesh close to the city of Jhansi has programming for 12 hours. Dedicated Taragram stations in radio situated community Bundelkhand owned Radio NGOs operating. four are there Bundelkhand In Radio Bundelkhand development andempowermentcanbeanswered. that the question as to whether community radio stations have an impact on of the successful experiments forempowerment through community radio so In thecourseofdiscourseinthisstudyattempt is todocument some Community radioandparticipatorycommunications are operationalinthecountry(mib.nic.in). agreements (GOPA). As per the MIB website, 200 community radio stations has granted449lettersofIntent(LOIs)andsigned252grantpermission Dalit communities. radio stationisowned,managed and operated by womenfrommarginalized to community radio broadcasts usinglowpowertransmitter. This community Namma Dhwani.ItbeganonICT modeandonOctober15th2008switched Radio Dhadkansituated in Shivpuriisusing thebroadcaststo There arethreeothercommunity radiostationsincloseproximity: inairing gap cultural important an filling is Bundelkhand Radio As on 1st November 2016, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Communicator

11 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 . The Shubh Kal The radio reporters during their training internalized the concepts the concepts training internalized The radio reporters during their One of the interesting experiments carried out by Radio Bundelkhand During the listener group discussions which author attended in Shivpuri, in attended author group discussions which listener During the During author’s two day visit to Radio Dhadkan in Shivpuri, Ramawati, Ramawati, Shivpuri, in Dhadkan Radio to visit day two author’s During village. Ramesh Yadav, a farmer from Malhaur village has been trained in trained has been village from Malhaur a farmer Yadav, Ramesh village. and girl radio production, recording, editing and mixing. Sarita is a talented in the neighboring rural areas of Lucknow. There are community volunteers community are There of Lucknow. areas rural in the neighboring who have brought changes to Rawat from Jhihjila Purva village like Sarita their village through first self-empowerment and then development of the educational institution run broadcasting station. This station was set up in was set This station station. run broadcasting institution educational has station seven years, the radio on 90.4 Mhz. During the 2007 and operating community listening the and listeners its of lives the in changes many brought City Montessori School Community Radio, Lucknow City Montessori School Community Radio (CMS-CR) The City Montessori School Community station is an with the agricultural practices they were able community. to effectively mobilise the and were then able to convert this scientificdialects. local and approach edutainment using an messages comprehensible information into simple and familiar and community local the drawn from were reporters these Since a period of 10 months. and Lalit Lok Vani. As part of this project 35 community radio reporters radio 35 community of this project As part Vani. Lok and Lalit There were 50 radio shows on change. on climate in reporting were trained within in 400 villages 400,000 villagers issues which reached change climate was a communication campaign on climate change named on climate campaign was a communication produced and aired by four community radio stations was jointly programme in the region: Radio Dhadkan, Radio Bundelkhand, Chanderi ki Awaaz because they are from the same community and share a common culture and a common culture and share they are from the same community because impact. change messages tend to have a greater idiom, behaviour medical checks during pregnancy and were able to motivate women to do to women motivate to able were and pregnancy during checks medical of because leaders change to be the been able have They feeding. breast that explained women from Nahori kala Adivasi One radio. community their two Adivasi women Parobai and Sonabai discussed about the institutional Parobai and Sonabai discussed Adivasi women two go for to locality women of their to convince were able They delivery. Through using program on girls’ education I try to convince the people that education on girls’ Through using program as menial workers”. not sent to school, they will end up if the children are a radio reporter had this to say, “I have moved forward. I am deprived I am deprived moved forward. “I have to say, had this a radio reporter of formal education, but next generation should not suffer onthis count. through the radio station. through the through sustainable livelihood options. household income rural poormainly creating effective platforms forthe women enabling them toincrease the Government a programmeof or Aajeevika is or Aajeevika institutional The NRLM of Indiafor

Communicator 12 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 as resource persons. They travel and inculcate among women in areas like identified were groups self-help of help the with prosperity of level certain Medak districtof Andhra Pradesh. violence, managing fair price shops, running the Bima Yojana call centres in based groupsforsocial action like picketing liquor shops, stopping domestic behavioural practices of not only thrift and credit but also using their affinity and insomecasesevenilliterate. These women hadinternalised the good the lower socio economic status who were educated up toprimary school manual scavengers, landless agricultural labourers, unskilled workers) from community resource personsthemselves were poorwomen(labourers, and mould through percept and example, the Self Help Groups. These is pivoted on the resource persons drawnfrom the community who build building amongthepoorisCommunity Resource Personstrategywhich cornerstones oftheprogramme. and nurturingcommunity resource forbuildinginstitutions are important and helping communities to worktogether. Social mobilisation of thepoor the povertyline. to liftthemselves outofpovertyandifnurturedtheycanbeenabledtocross options. is thatthepoorhaveinnatecapabilities The corebeliefoftheNRLM enabling themtoincreasehouseholdincomethroughsustainablelivelihood for creating effective institutional platforms for the rural poor mainly women works onthemodelofcommunityresourcestrategy. experiment was the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)which language and cultural idiom on issuesoftheir community? One such community members can be trained to create radio programmes in their Can community radiobeaparticipatory communication tool where Community radioandLivelihoodMission radio asan“intentionaltoolfordevelopmentandsocialchange”. of the community. Thomas (2011) describesthepotential ofcommunity programme on health, hygiene and sanitation prepared with the involvement popular programme by CMS-CRstation was lives. Another Sarita where village non-electrified a Purva, Jhiljhila to light a windowofopportunity for Sarita, the CMS radiowasable to bringsolar radio. Itwasnotonly she singsfolksongsandanchorsprogrammesonCMS The women whohad successfully overcome poverty and hadreached a The strategy used byNRLMforthiscapacity building and institution The NRLM aims at reducing poverty by community involvement The NRLM or Aajeevika is a programme of the Government of India Saathi Haath Badhana , a Communicator

13 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 function better and also motivate other groups, function better and also motivate other Strengthen the functioning of village level institutions, Strengthen the functioning of village Capture the processes of community mobilisation, Profile role models coming out from the community, Feature good practices. Provide tools to operating self help groups under NRLM to Provide tools to operating self help Enable local stories to come out, • • • • community. was on the programme radio the focus throughout The • • Radio Mewat and Alfaz-e-Mewat were roped in on an experimental Alfaz-e-Mewat were roped in on an Radio Mewat and As a pilot project, two community radio stations in Haryana: Alfaz-e- radio stations in Haryana: two community project, As a pilot Since this was a community driven programme the community radio radio community the programme driven community was a this Since anchor/reporter from Mewat itself. The radio stations were only a medium The radio from Mewat itself. anchor/reporter for the community voices to be heard. The programmes were conceived and produced by the community with an community and produced by the were conceived The programmes

The objectives of the programme were: to form groups and promote a sense of unity as outlined in the Aajeevika the in as outlined of unity sense a promote and form groups to mandate. up production capacity in Tauru block and then broadcasting them in other them block and then broadcasting Tauru in up production capacity Nuh and Nagina and narrowcasting them in villages blocks like intensive women The aim was to motivate where the radio signals do not reach. Haryana State Rural livelihood Mission. These programmes ran concurrently These programmes Mission. livelihood Rural Haryana State the Mission and strengthened livelihood Haryana round of the the CRP with by setting of Mewat blocks intensive the in strategy Mobilisation Resource basis to do a series of 31 programmes of fifteen minutes duration on a daily processes of the building institution and mobilisation social basis on the State Rural Livelihood Mission to carry the Resource Block Strategy across Pradesh as Andhra of women poverty-free already using the airwaves the change agents. Mewat and Mewat Radio in Mewat District of Haryana were linked to the Radio in Mewat District of Haryana Mewat and Mewat mobilisation, financial inclusion, unified social action, institution building resource community were developed using the and livelihood promotion listeners of the radio stations. persons and the local concept fitted in well with the strategy. Community radio stations already them in programming, involve and actively work with poor communities of NRLM – social themes the around programmes radio therefore enterprise and also address social and hygiene and health issues. social and hygiene and also address enterprise Bihar, Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana not only issues of thrift and credit but also an strategizing entrepreneurs, of women worthiness credit the assessing Communicator 14 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 women howthey can also jointhe self-help groups. The womenactivists A lotofpeople cametoknowabout thelivelihood mission andaskedthe them avoicethatislargely ignored. The programme also created awareness. identity and respect. They felt empowered and admitted that radio has given The feedbackwasencouraging. on theprogrammesincludingsuggestionsfromthem ontheprogramming. (Community Radio) forsocialmobilisation, response fromthecommunity tool the of effectiveness the on discussion also was there narrowcasting the Mewat tocommunityresourcepersonsofHaryanawas organised. During collective actionforthecommunitywasmainthrust. social action. The ideaofacohesivebondbetweenthewomenresultingin and howthesegroupsgobeyondjustthrift and credit to motivators for organisations. different aspectsofcommunityandsocialmobilisation: The episodes broadcast by Alfaz-e-Mewat and Radio Mewat focused on Outcome where theradiosignalsdonotreach. yet tobegin. was The programmeswerealsonarrowcastin Tauru block radio transmissiontoNuhandNaginablockswherethesocial mobilisation The communityrecognized that theradioprogrammesgavetheman Narrowcasting ofepisodesproducedby Alfaz-e-Mewat aswellRadio groups women based affinity the on was programme the of focus The 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. The programmes producedontheactivities were broadcastthrough Success storiesofcollectivesocialactionby VO level Community heroesandtheirindividualsuccessstories, Odds facedbywomeninforming Covering storiesofsuccessful Village LevelOrganisations: Social Showing howcommunitybasedmediacaneffectivelystrengthen Highlighting storiesofwomenwhoovercamepovertyandbuilt Stress ontheconceptofcollectivizationwhichbringswomen Profiling CommunityResourcePersonsintheprojectas Community storiesofempoweredwomeninselfhelpgroups, collective action, action, Banklinkage,roleassecondarybanketc, the functioningofthesewomen, social capital, together andcreatingcommunityleaders, role modelsforotherwomen, self helpgroups and Communicator 15 through Panchayati was institutions Raj aimed at turning the planning process from a top down approach to a bottom up approach Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Many development practitioners believe that the sustainable development is not possible without participatory communication. Decentralised decision making by Kar (2010) found Social Impact of Community Radio Community of Impact Social Bandelli (2011) has looked at the involvement of women in radio The study by Kar (2010) concluded that community radio stations are stations radio community that Kar (2010) concluded by study The What is however interesting to see is, that, voice is not to be seen A study on A The episodes imparted knowledge and built awareness among the local among the awareness built and knowledge imparted episodes The although only about twenty five percent were engaged in station operation. although only about twenty five percent were engaged in station operation. media. The survey employed in the study showed that a majority of women a majority study showed that in the survey employed The media. radio programmes. in the community capacity in some participated listeners producers anchors to programme roles have ranged from being Their effective in empowering women since radio introduces women into a public into women introduces radio in empowering women since effective of radio has led to democratisation space and gives them voice. Community in development. Community radio is effective in extending communication rights. only as access to media - an end in itself- but seen in the context of what only as access to media - an end in of basic capabilities”. “deprivation Sen (1999) describing poverty calls, poor to participate to the capabilities Community radio can be seen as giving stations are also managed and funded by the community. stations are also managed and funded radio listeners were women. Not only are decisions on programmes made by made decisions on programmes are radio listeners were women. Not only on decision NGO supported stations, the of the case in the community, the Some Centre. Resource Managed the Community with what to produce lies that Community radio has given voice to the marginalised by reaching out to by reaching marginalised to the voice has given radio Community that Most of the community marginalization. and facing exclusion communities Decentralised decision making through Panchayati Raj institutions was Raj institutions through Panchayati decision making Decentralised to a bottom process from a top down approach at turning the planning aimed up approach (Saxena & Ravi, 2006). communication model were keen to understand the social impact of social impact were keen to understand the model communication that the believe practitioners radio. Many development community communication. without participatory is not possible sustainable development Although at an individual level the community radio stations are working are stations radio community the level an individual Although at in development researchers interested mobilisation, well in community blocks where Aajeevika programmes are yet to be implemented. Aajeevika blocks where community radio in India Social impact of ownership. The final report based on inputs from the radio stations showed that the community-produced programmes were effective in instillingin those interest had awakened programmes The Aajeevika. the of message community about Aajeevika, the concept of collectivisation and community and community of collectivisation the concept Aajeevika, about community wanted more radio programmes and also wanted to be trained in production in production to be trained and also wanted radio programmes more wanted narrowcasting. through and dissemination Communicator 16 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The issues covered were related to market access and specific advise from advise specific and access market to related were covered issues The of the Government of India. Itwastailored to thelocal agro-climatic needs. Biotechnology of Department the by sponsored was which agriculture being the mainstay of the community, Kumaon Vani had hosted a show on since 2010 hasdesigned and delivered several programmes. Agriculture engagements makesitmorerelevantinaddressinglocal concerns. community operated andfrequentphoneinprogrammescommunity being of Kumaon up Vani set lives. unique Its gap. this fill to able been has print, the community has stated the need for content that impacts their daily that despite the presence of other commercial media, such astelevision and as alinkbetweentheinstitutionsofgovernanceand thepeople.Itisseen served as an important medium ofcommunicating with the people and serving (2016) showsthat given the geographical setting in the area, the radio has Gwaldham and Bageshwar. Sheetlakhet, Betalghat, Pithoragarh, Devidhura, Champawat, Kausani, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, Nainital, Almora, like areas off far in recorded Advancement). Due to being at a higher altitude its coverage has been attached to TRISHA (TERI’sResearch Initiative in SupiforHimalayan radio namedKumaon Vani inMukhteshwar2010. The radiostationis are perhapsverydifferentduetothetopographicalfeatures. potential of communityradiointhehillsUttarakhandwherecommunities Henvalvani and Kumaon Vani aretwostationswhichhaveexploredthe Community radiointhehills:Kumaon Vani andHenvalvani occasionally participatethroughlistenersgroups. case forwomenwhoengage with radioonadaily basis andforthosewho ability to understand society and make informative choices. This is the of information in increasingtheirknowledgeandthusexpanding voice, which otherwise remains unheard. They highly value the importance for womentoaccessinformation, whichisotherwisedenied,andacquirea approximately 47respondents,mainlyfemalereportersandlisteners. stations, focus groupsand in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of Madhya Pradesh,initiated by Sambhav inpartnershipwithUNICEF. Inboth by Youngand RadioDhadkan,in IndiaandpartlysupportedbyUNESCO, stations throughtwoqualitative casestudies: Radio Namaskar, inOrissa,run The study finds that as a response to the local needs, KumaonVani needs, local the to aresponse as that finds study The A studyon TERI (TheEnergy andResourcesInstitute) has setupacommunity The studyconcludesthatcommunityradioconstitutesanopportunity Effectiveness of Community Radio in Uttarakhand byDhawan Communicator

17 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The impact of community radio stations in improving the well-being well-being the improving in stations radio community of impact The The effectiveness of CR stations in Uttarakhand, Henvalvani over Dhawan (2016) also describes Henvalvani as a community radio, set radio, as a community Henvalvani (2016) also describes Dhawan of the marginalised community. community. of the marginalised people of their community. The community radio sector has evolved as community. people of their and has and advocacy communication tool of participatory an important messages for the betterment development resulted in adoption of important It becomes evident from the discussions and the success of the engagement evident from the discussions and the success It becomes by information radio stations that the listeners are empowered of community by and useful and articulated provided by the stations which are relevant Conclusions Uttarakhand or in Orissa. The pilot communication projects and past research The pilot communication in Orissa. or Uttarakhand radio as a mode of community done point for a strong case for promoting empowerment and development. participatory communication tool for of the individual as well as society has been borne out by the pilot projects borne out by the pilot has been of the individual as well as society Mission as also the various development Rural Livelihood with the National messages carried by the community radio stations in Bundelkhand, employees from its inceptions and is now regarded with respect as a training as a respect with is now regarded and inceptions its from employees (Dhawan, 2016). workshop for the youth in this area original content being broadcast. Despite ups and downs with found a connection have area in the people the in the radio, operations in the financial 200 than more seen has it basis, voluntary a on solely Started Henvalvani. the years has gained popularity in the local community. Its reach is seen is Its reach community. local the in popularity years has gained the are they transmitter, engineered frugally the blocks and despite in nearby of hours 12 is there Currently continuously. content their broadcast to able most unique feature is that there are many women volunteers. is that there are many women volunteers. most unique feature been engaged in this community radio. Other than two permanent members, permanent two than Other radio. community this in engaged been skills through acquired time, their given and come as volunteers others have The their careers. and then have gone ahead to pursue exposure a practical has served as an instrument for social mobilization. After construction of of After construction mobilization. for social instrument has served as an emerged has Chamba town, Tehri old the of and submergence dam Tehri the of the youth have areas. Many hub in the hilly as an important commercial up in 2001 as a social movement by the youth in Chamba. This station got This station by the youth in Chamba. movement up in 2001 as a social formal trust and got its license in 2012 for the Himalayan support from initial radio the Uttarakhand, of district Garhwal Tehri the in Located operation. measures and promotion of agricultural markets. and promotion of measures experts on how to get better prices for their produce. This can be seen in This can be seen produce. their for prices better how to get experts on card health soil farming, organic on impetus Government’s the with line Communicator 18 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Lerner, D.(1958). synerg/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=public:students:zahirk:gv:cr_impact_esther_kar.pdf Indian InstituteofManagement, Bangalore Kar, E.(2010). Montreal: BlackRoseBooks. Girard, B.(ed)(2001). change forsurvival Fraser, C.&S.Restrepo-Estrada(1998). report forCommunicationResearchModuleofIIMC.New Delhi:IIMC. Dhawan N.(2016). development ofcontent Bandelli, D.(2011). increasing effectiveness AMARC (2007). References 4 3 2 1 Notes space anddiversityofthemediaholdings. model willlead togreaterempowermentanddemocratization ofthemedia a CommunityRadiolicense. programmes prepared by poor, rural women in the villages around Machnoor. DDShasnow not haveabroadcasting licence in 2000,theyusedthenarrowcasting technique to airthe organisation in Machnoorvillage, Medak District of Andhra Pradesh.Sincetheydid profit for not a , (DDS) Society Development Deccan by up set was station radio Pastapur that hasbeenworkingintheBudhikoteregion. organisation profit non- a (MYRADA), Agency Development and Resettlement Mysore and group communication Development based Bangalore a VOICES, by up set was unit Budhikote, 95 kms from Bangalore in the Kolar district of Karnataka. This radio production Namma Dhwani( be setupforradioandtelevision. in India.Itpresented its reporttothe Government in April 1966askingforaCorporation to The ChandaCommittee was constituted in 1964toprepareareportonradioandtelevision a range of medium wave (MW), Frequency Modulation (FM) and Short wave (SW) stations. across the country. It is anational broadcaster and covers99per cent ofthe population. It has All India Radio is India’s Public Service Broadcaster and operates through 420 stations located The recognition ofthe power ofcommunity media in thedevelopment Social impactofcommunityradio stationsinIndia. Community radiosocialimpactassessment:Removingbarriers, our voice The passingoftraditionalsociety . LondonandNew York: I.B. Taurus Publishers. Effectiveness ofcommunityradioinUttarakhand Community radioinIndia:Theparticipationofwomenthe . [Dissertation].UniversityofQueensland. A passion forradio:Radiowavesandcommunity . Montreal: World Association ofCommunityBroadcasters. inKannada)isacommunity radio productioncentre set upin Communicating fordevelopment:Human . Retrieved fromwww.cse.iitb.ac.in/ . Glencoe: The Free Press. [Dissertation]. . [A research .

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19 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 . Economic Economic 2008/09/ www. Economic and . California: Stanford . California: Stanford http://maraa.in/ https://www.fcc.gov/ . Retrieved from All India Radio Farm and Home . New York: Anchor Books. York: . New Retrieved from Retrieved . Other voices, the struggle for community radio Other voices, the struggle Realising potential of Panchayati Raj in India Realising potential Program on civic engagement, empowerment and Program 2166–2167. (22), 2168–2172. Negotiating communication rights,case studies from India. studies from Negotiating communication rights,case Mass media and national development Mass media and national (22), How to do community radio: A primer for community radio A How to do community radio: 38 , Development as freedom Kumaon vani in the hills. Kumaon vani . Delhi: UNESCO. India: Sage. World Bank Institute (2007). World for diversity empowering radio respect UK Frequency Allocation Table (2013). Retrieved from https://www.ofcom.org. Table Allocation UK Frequency uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/36228/ukfat_2013.pdf Thomas, P. N. (2011), N. (2011), Thomas, P. New Delhi: Sage. Home%20Radio%20Programme%20in%20the%20Development%20of%20 Agriculture.pdf Thamizhpparithi, M. & Subramani, R. (2012). Thamizhpparithi, M. & Subramani, R. in India Agriculture of in the Progress Programmes thamizhagam.net/research/research%20articles/Role%20of%20Farm%20and%20 engineering-technology/policy-and-rules-division/radio-spectrum-allocation/ general/table-frequency operators Allocation (2015). Retrieved from of Frequency Table Sen, A. (1999). L. (2002). Tabing, Schramm, W. (1964). W. Schramm, University Press. Saxena, N. C. & Ravi, J. (2006). Saxena, N. C. & Ravi, NAC, New Delhi. Series published for Pavarala, V. (2003). Breaking free: Battle over the airwaves. (2003). Breaking free: Battle over V. Pavarala, Political Weekly Pavarala, V. & Malik, K. K. (2007). V. Pavarala, in India. Noronha, F. (2003). Community radio: Singing new tunes in South Asia. in South Singing new tunes Community radio: (2003). F. Noronha, 38 Weekly, and Political Maraa (2008). Maraa (2008). hills-of-uttarakhand kumaon-vani-crs-inthe-

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1 Head, Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad & Faculty Fellow, UNESCO Chair on Community Media, Hyderabad, India. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract

This paper reflects on the first ever doctoral work on ‘Community Radio in India’ carried out by the author at a time when the not-for-profit sector was not a reality in the broadcasting ecology of the country. It traces how the campaign for community radio in India and some of the grass- roots experiments of narrowcasting informed her research findings and analysis. The paper also make linkages, where possible, to the changes that have been witnessed in the field of research on community radio over the last decade and a half – how the academic foundations have evolved, transformed and progressed and what are the newer perspectives and prospects for re- search with the changing policy environment and practices within the CR sector in India.

Keywords Community radio, Social change, Participatory communication, Voice, Media democratisation. Communicator

23 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 after 1 . 3 on Community Radio Broadcasting (incidentally signed 2 eople may tell you that you are chasing a phantom and that phantom and that are chasing a tell you that you eople may nothing like this exists in India. But, this is an not only research that will requiring comprehensive of study emerging area

In the I ensuing reflectpaper, on my doctoral work and make linkages, Those were still the days when Google had not become a way of life, a become not had days when Google the still were Those In my two years of journalism and four years as a lecturer of ‘mass four years as a lecturer In my two years of journalism and

foundations have evolved, transformed and progressed and what are the foundations have evolved, transformed and progressed and what are and prospects for research with the changing policy newer perspectives where possible, to the changes that I have witnessed in the field of research academic – how the half and a decade over the last radio on community Television? Nonetheless, I read the documents dutifully and diligently and dutifully and diligently Nonetheless, I read the documents Television? is history thought through, and the rest, as they say, on Facebook. But this was a crucial decision – it was a question of able being to endure and survive the topic for research on radio in the era of Satellite wondering – why would I want to do four-five long years. I was also and we were not sharing our anxieties and seeking people’s advice and vote and advice people’s seeking and our anxieties sharing not we were and He said, “You may want to go through these before you take a final decision. final a take you before these through go to want may “You said, He the is this me, work with wish to still you if and days few a for it over Think field I am interested in”. Pastapur Initiative on the day of my PhD July 2000) and a report analysing the interview in world. of the democracies liberal in some of the radio policies community and relevance in the Indian context. He mentioned the 1995 Supreme Court in and relevance He also handed over a property. Judgement declaring airwaves as public The 1996, Radio on Declaration Bangalore The – me to documents of couple Prof. Pavarala could read doubt written all over my face. He to me, and its role media of alternative explained the context and background then briefly endeavours in future. endeavours in future. radio. community called across anything I had never come communication’, university in the south of India. I had little idea then that I was standing on idea then of India. I had little university in the south (that research of area incipient brand-new, a proffered being of threshold the I had no clue about), which would define and characterize all my academic for a supervisor in a new city, holding on smugly to the ‘research proposal’ on smugly to the ‘research proposal’ holding a new city, for a supervisor in to this prestigious PhD that had got me admission of a Central programme words I was greeted with when I approached Prof. Vinod Pavarala Vinod Prof. approached I when with was greeted words I of Communication, of the Department PhD programme to the my admission looking August 2000. I was enthusiastically in of Hyderabad University “P shift historical document a but also rigorously to policy advocacy, contribute prophetic the were These happens.” as it country of the media-scape the in 24 environment and practices within the CR sector, especially in India.

Ferment for community radio: Perspectives and politics

What is community radio? Communicator As with any other research scholar, I too was expected to start with finding an answer to the question: What is Community Radio? How does one define

Vol. LI No. 2, July–Sept, 2016 Vol. it? As there was no policy on community radio in India, one could not fall back on picking up the ‘official’ definition and critiquing it. Therefore, the definition contained in the Pastapur Initiative became, for me, a respectable starting point as it highlighted the key aspects contained in the widely accepted characterization of community radio by AMARC (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters) i.e. “community radio as having three key aspects: non-profit making, community ownership and management, and community participation”. These came to be adopted as the main facets of community radio even in the ‘Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations’ announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting much later in 2006.

The Pastapur document (2000) also added that, “community radio is distinguished by its limited local reach, low-power transmission, and programming content that reflects the educational, developmental and cultural needs of the specific community it serves”. In those days, the concept had not yet been complicated further to problematize the term ‘community’ – something that has become crucial now. Community was looked upon simply as “a non-sectarian group of individuals who are territorially-bound and share a common socio-economic position/interest (DDS, 2000)”.

Also, as I ventured out to find the crucial differences incommunity radio vis-à-vis the so-called ‘mainstream’ media, it was necessary at that point to understand that this was the radio for the historically disadvantaged people, and that, “the historical philosophy of community radio is to use this medium as the voice of the voiceless, the mouthpiece of oppressed people (be it on racial, gender, or class grounds) and generally as a tool for development” (AMARC, 1998). Tabing (2002) defined community radio station as “one that is operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community” (p.9) added the crucial media democratization element to the basket of core characteristics.

Those were also the days when a paradigmatic shift was happening in the thinking on development or social change from a top-down diffusion of innovations techniques to the bottom-up participatory communication Communicator

25 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 profiles are even more varied. Some are musical, some militant They are located in isolated and some mix music and militancy. cities in the world. rural villages and in the heart of the largest ...Community radio, rural radio, cooperative radio, participatory ...Community radio, rural radio, cooperative educational radio. If the radio, free radio, alternative, popular, radio stations, networks and production groups that make up Association of Community Radio Broadcasters refer World the to themselves by a variety of names, then their practices and opinion, denying conformity, creating consensus, broadening creating consensus, broadening opinion, denying conformity, The purpose – whence the name – is to build democracy. Apasionados” para Radialistas “Manual urgente community life.’’ (Lopez, 1997). and the musical dictatorship of the big recording studios; when the musical dictatorship of the big recording censorship, that words fly without discrimination or everyone’s that bear this name do not fit is community radio. Radio stations is different, their Their purpose the logic of money or advertising. Of course this of civil society. best efforts are put at the disposal of influencing public service is highly political: it is a question informs; when it helps resolve the thousand and one problems informs; when it helps resolve the thousand in its programs and all of daily life; when all ideas are debated diversity is stimulated opinions are respected; when cultural women are main players over commercial homogeneity; when pretty voice or a publicity in communication and not simply a is tolerated, not even gimmick; when no type of dictatorship ...When radio fosters the participation of citizens and defends the participation of citizens and ...When radio fosters and it reflects the tastes of the majority their interests; when it truly and hope its main purpose; when makes good humour In the end, whenever someone asked – what makes a radio station someone asked – what makes In the end, whenever a community radio station, I would answer it in the words of AMARC’s AMARC’s words station, I would answer it in the a community radio of members: doing something for itself, i.e., owning and controlling its own means of own means its controlling and owning i.e., itself, for something doing 1998). communication (AMARC, process in which members of a community federate to design and produce to design and produce federate of a community which members process in radio is clear that community should be made and that “it programmes; community the about but community for the doing something not about approaches, hence, it became crucial to realise – something that what I keep I keep what that – something realise to crucial became it hence, approaches, a social radio is community – that today in many discussions even reiterating Communicator 26 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 of accessto,andcontrol of media technologies by marginalised sections point vantage the from India in broadcasting of evolution the revisiting By Evolution ofbroadcasting inIndia being madeavailableforpublicuse. broadcasting merely escalated thecorporatemonopolisation ofthespaces Radio entertainment in India witnessed a revival of sorts but privatisation of Phase-I the of auctioning oflicences to setupprivate FM stations in November 1999. announced (MIB) Broadcasting and Information of Ministry government monopolytoahighlycommercialised broadcasting after community radio. Radio broadcasting, in India, had shifted from being a appropriate policytoopenupbroadcastingforthecivil societysector. radio initiatives in variousforumsregarding in India,andthediscussions community in studying experiences field our India, in broadcasting of recommendationsforapolicyoncommunityradioinIndia. analysis of the policy frameworks forcommunity radio and developed a set articles and documents available on the internet, we made a comparative vision abouttheroleofindependentandpluralistmedia. durable theirlong-term, through either India experiences with community radio in or present us with a significant breadth of policy for lessons offer radio in Australia, Ireland,South Africa, CanadaandtheUSwhichcould extensive analysis ofthe broadcasting legislation and policies on community To graspthismultiplicity further, thatcommunity together with mymentor, Itookupan manner the in world. the of countries different in practiced and conceived is and was radio the diversity reflected definitions These Community radioworldwide The broadcast laws in India, until November 2006, did not permit done inthecontextofpoliticalThis analysiswas realities of Through a perusal of legislative texts, guidelines and statements, governments’’ (AMARC,1995). by internationaldevelopmentagencies,advertisingand unions. There arestationsfinancedbydonationsfromlisteners, by students,universities,municipalities,churchesortrade whose membersarethelistenersthemselves.Othersowned stations areownedbynot-for-profit groupsorbycooperatives or becarriedviashortwavetootherpartsoftheworld.Some Their signalsmayreachonlyakilometer, coverawholecountry Communicator 27 allowed ‘well- established’ educational institutions to set up FM transmitters and run radio stations on their campuses. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The long-standing demands for a third tier of independent, not-for-profit broadcasting in the country yielded a confined avatar of ‘campus’ community radio in the first quarter of 2003 that For me, it was an exciting experience to be present in all the meetings to be present experience For me, it was an exciting After many rounds of consultations with the lobbying groups, and lobbying the with rounds of consultations many After After many rounds of consultations with the lobbying groups, After many rounds of consultations the This decision diluted somewhat the hegemony of the state and market the hegemony of the state somewhat This decision diluted of the community radio activist networks and to scrupulously follow all the all follow scrupulously to networks and activist radio community of the posts of the community radio-India mailing list. radio stations. radio policy be announced without delay, the Cabinet finally gave its seal of radio policy be announced without delay, incorporated that radio policy to community 2006, in November approval, start to licences get to organisations non-governmental allow to provisions in response to a campaign by activists, academics, non-governmental academics, by activists, in response to a campaign community expanded the that demand to communities rural and organisations in October 2005, the government referred the policy to a Group of Ministers a to policy the referred government 2005, the October in for further discussions. allow both non-governmental organisations as well as civil society groups society as well as civil organisations allow both non-governmental to get licences to start radio held meeting cabinet In the around July 2005. for approval Union Cabinet stations. This was finally submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officials came provisions to 2004 that incorporated policy on community radio in June up with a draft different today], that radio, designated by several as a medium of the poor, had been hijacked by the elites. over radio, but it seemed at that juncture [the scenario and perceptions are and perceptions scenario [the juncture that at seemed but it radio, over first quarter of 2003 that allowed educational ‘well-established’ institutions to set up FM stations on their campuses (Pavarala transmitters and run radio & Malik, 2007). set up low-cost local radio broadcasting facilities, but to no avail. The long- avail. but to no facilities, radio broadcasting set up low-cost local broadcasting standing demands for a third tier of independent, not-for-profit the in radio community of avatar ‘campus’ confined a yielded country the in The period of my research coincided with the phase when community radio radio when community with the phase coincided research The period of my the right to to get rural communities in India were struggling campaigners those seeking a more equitable distribution of the radio spectrum. equitable distribution of the radio those seeking a more radio in India Campaign for community a comprehensive media policy in India, little had been done to open up had been done little policy in India, media a comprehensive broadcasting for the non-profit social This sector. had unleashed a demand by development airwaves for social of the re-appropriation for collective of the society, my research inferred that although advancing democratic democratic advancing although that inferred research my society, of the for debates continuing in the concern a vital has been of radio functioning Communicator 28 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 the grassroots was rarely considered essential in these efforts. The whole The efforts. these in essential considered rarely was grassroots the stakeholder involvement, and localknowledgeorparticipation ofpeopleat of information related to the state’s agenda for development. There was little initially, andtelevisionlater, wereseenasinstruments forthedissemination radio, and media Print prescriptions. policy all” fits size “one and approach (Pavarala & Malik, 2007). This dominant paradigm promoted a top-down which involved amodelofeconomicmodernisationandliberaldemocracy emerged from colonialism and embarked upon an exercise of nation building, development, which emerged in the post-World War II years as many nations There is a long, chequered history of the so-called ‘dominant paradigm’ in Communication fordevelopment mobilising themselvesinordertomaketheirviewsheard. communication processes, historically marginalized communities started one-way, vertical of effects ill the about dawned realisation As knowledge. emphasise horizontal communication, people’s participation and indigenous critique of mediaglobalisation has yieldedfreshperspectives,which and distribution of the benefits and control of media technologies. A sustained countervailing public demand forgreater decentralisation of political power Malik, 2007). meaningless the increase in thenumberofinformation sources (Pavarala & an expandedmenuofmedia outlets, theuniformity of thecontent renders the diversity of information. This is evident in the fact that even as we have sector. Media globalisation diminishes freedom of information and restricts greater powertomarketforces,whichmadetheirpresence feltinthemedia media. Globalisation and liberalisation of the economy inevitably meant 90s weremarkedbyagradual easing of state monopoly over the electronic growth ofmedia organisations intolarge-scale conglomerates. InIndia,the unhindered the by century twenty-first the in threatened seriously be to seen Freedom of expression and equitable access of communication media are Media globalisation public sphere;andgenderdevelopment. media globalisation; communication for development; civil societyand radio as asociological phenomenon, and analternative media included – review. The theoretical entry pointsthat aided me in analysing community research isathoroughliterature Another crucialcomponentofanyPhD The conceptualentrypoints: Theory andpraxis An expressionofthiswidelysharedanxietycouldbeseeninthe Communicator

29 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The Structural . Nancy Fraser (1992) critiques the . Nancy Fraser (1992) critiques the Community radio was seen as providing to the marginalised an arena, an marginalised the to as providing was seen radio Community However, ‘community radio’, in the sense of a non-state, nonmarket non-state, sense of a the in radio’, ‘community However, women’s grassroots organisations to mainstream gender in social change social in gender mainstream to grassroots organisations women’s and philosophies that practices alternative discourses by introducing Gender, media and development Gender, There is a sustained effort by feminists, women’s movements and poor withdrawal and regroupment; and as and training grounds for agitational withdrawal and regroupment; activities directed towards wider publics (Pavarala & Malik, 2007). Transformation of the Public Sphere of the Public Transformation of what forging proposes the and sphere public Habermas’ of singularity as spaces of function that publics’, spheres counter ‘subaltern she calls for discursive interaction and for political participation through the medium participation and for political for discursive interaction model of public post-bourgeois of talk could be looked at as an alternative in of developing (1962) stops short Habermas that sphere outside the state apparatus, that may be used as a potent instrument for outside the state apparatus, that may space and negotiations. Such an institutionalised deliberations democratic matters of common concern, and by their mere existence or action could or action existence mere by their and concern, of common matters have an effect on public policy” (p.66). quality of information in the public sphere, civil society becomes increasingly becomes society civil sphere, public the in information of quality ineffective.Taylor (1995) defines civil society as “a web of in together citizens which bound of the state, independent associations, autonomous political counterpart, the public sphere, as countries around the world are sphere, as countries the public counterpart, political media As globalisation. of contemporary being undercut by the realities and erodes the diversity diminishes freedom of information, globalisation Civil society and public sphere Civil society and public its and society of civil concept the in interest renewed has been a There and cultural circumstances and identified important related concepts such as such concepts related important identified and circumstances cultural and and knowledge sharing. (Paulo Freire, 1970) ‘conscientisation’ agents for facilitating a self-propelled and self-sustained people-centred and self-sustained people-centred a self-propelled agents for facilitating process. My research development and a more democratic development in diverse social, economic the complex nature of participation highlighted in India. This was being articulated against the backdrop of participatory of backdrop the against articulated was being This India. in by the rise of new social that were popularised approaches to development seen as key were radio as community systems such Media movements. venture, owned and managed by the community was community was by the recent idea a relatively and managed venture, owned approach was prescriptive and pedagogical, and treated people as only people as and treated and pedagogical, was prescriptive approach of information. passive consumers based organisations initiatives launched that wereseeking community radio technologies for communication by community- empowerment in generaland social change dimension in of womenin studying the a significant Gender was particular. to deploy

Communicator 30 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 I hadnotbeenabletoengagewithin-depthatthattime. These include: identify category. Forthat an intense reading must be undertaken of the concepts that that characteristics significant more the sector and for an understanding of ‘community radio’ as a the conceptual into deeper fathom to Now thatcommunity radio hasbecome a reality in India, scholars areseeking Contemporary frameworks women’s alternativesforfosteringsocialchange. access torepresentation and decision making and helped in activating ownership ofmedia technologies by marginalised women provided them author’s researchexploredthemannerinwhichmanagement, control and the examining By particular.intersections of development frameworks and feminist theorising, the in women of empowerment and general in the in studying that were seekingto deploy communication technologies for social change dimension significant community radio initiatives launched by community-based organisations a was Gender marginalisation. challenge the sex-role stereotyping that have led to women’s increased The typological maze: making, autonomy, andexpression.” and participation in social, political, and economic processes, meaning Third World scholars consider having a voice, to incorporate “inclusion life and itsconditions… is todenyabasic dimension of human life”. one’s of account asa an giving of process “the i.e. ‘voice’ and sustained effective an of avalue as process leading to outcome.Forhim,denysomeonethepotential effective it makes which attention of speaking.Heconsidersthat voice includes the practice ofpaying Voice: often markedbyinternalconflict,oppressionandpatriarchy. necessarily be internally harmonious and homogeneous entities and are not may communities integrated organically and defined that culturally the aware now are sociologists most However, world. non-Western a repositoryofculture, language, humanvalues andtraditioninthe 1993, p.13)mustalsobeconsidered.‘Community’ whichisconsidered even extend‘acrossconurbations,nationsandcontinents’ (Lewis, ‘geographical community’, while the ‘community of interest’ that may community of radio, the concept of ‘community’ definition explicitly highlighted is that of the working any In community. to engage the with seeks itself first change social for tool a and under-represented Conceptualising ‘community’: Couldry (2010)considers‘voice’ tobemore than just theact Though variousscholars have delineated the

Community radio as the voice of the Communicator

31 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Hence the next phase of the research was embarked on with the intent of on with the intent was embarked Hence the next phase of the research At that time, even as the government was reserved about legislation indicate greater fluidity, interconnectedness to the state and the market, indicate greater fluidity, been of what has variously character and non-linear and, the anarchic media’, and ‘radical media’. called ‘critical media’, ‘citizens’ this sector and the experimentation that is taking place in the practices this sector and the experimentation lens which the mono-theoretical They are critiquing of such initiatives. media mainstream to as alternative initiative alternative all considers and in this way, skips other (2008) al et identities Bailey, 2001). Rodríguez, 2008; Carpentier, & Cammearts, of alternative media (Bailey, and Bosch (2010) have suggested the term, ‘rhizomatic media’, to their organisation and production process. In contrast to mainstream to mainstream In contrast process. and production organisation their alternative citizenry, “informed” ideal of the democratic liberal media’s “mobilized” of the ideal democratic participatory promote the media citizenry. within heterogeneity on the focusing are scholars therefore, Increasingly, alternative alternative media. In a comprehensive overview reflect on the of multiplicity of definitions alternative media, Atton that (2002) declares we would need term, as an analytical ‘alternative’ in order to deploy that are media Alternative ‘non-mainstream’. saying than specific more be to but also media, of mainstream not only by their critiques characterised underlie which frameworks and values socio-cultural alternative by the characteristics characteristics that differentiate the fundamentally citizen-controlled mainstream controlled state or corporate from the typically alternative category of the single within is much heterogeneity media, there development work. to facilitate the functioning of community radio in India, some grassroots radio the functioning of community to facilitate community to support their projects radio had initiated organisations activists were pursuing the cause for community radio and the critical issues critical the and radio community cause for the pursuing were activists related to the functional and efficacy aspects of community radio. recording the methods and motives with which grassroots NGOs with which grassroots and media methods and motives the recording absence of sustained, context-specific research undertaken on the potential of community radio and its sociological and respect to the media scenario in India. political ramifications with Getting your hands dirty: Methodologies and fieldwork Getting your discourses issues and a study of the and literature of pertinent perusal The nurturing the fledgling community radiomovement indicated a remarkable Communicator 32 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 members wouldnormallygather toholddiscussionsintheirvillages. were conductedinthelocal languageandincomfortablesettingswherethe in theinterrogativecontext ofastructuredquestionnaire. The focus groups respondents mere as than manner significant more a in sought was audiences a complexsystemthatwasmore thanthesumofitsparts.Participationrural paths ofdiscoveryastheyemerged. rigid designs that eliminate responsiveness and was opento adopting new constructed between people in the real world, Iavoided getting locked into groups, alongwithanalysisofdocuments. method wasused,involvingin-depthandopen-ended interviews andfocus of inquiryforaccomplishing theobjectives of thestudy. The casestudy empowerment. the process ofself-expression,public dialogue, collective action and the community level; and theextent to whichcommunity radio enhances training ground forparticipation in the broader issues of development at the messagedevelopment process ofcommunity radio byitselfbecomesa (Jharkhand); India. case studies ofall known ongoing experiments with community radio in involvement in existence in the community radio projects as it undertook development work. their community radio projects werelocated and alsotheir philosophy of research of to delineate the historyofpresenceinregionwhere of NGOs component essential an also was It India. of parts different in political context in which the community radio initiatives had materialised Following Patton (1990), the qualitative research done was understood as Following Patton(1990),thequalitativeresearchdone wasunderstoodas the approachwasinterpretative, As that seessocialreality asmutually The researchworkusedqualitative methodology andmultiple methods The case studies ofthese ongoing experiments helped understand – how (d) (c) VOICES project(1996)inBudhikote(Karnataka);and (b) KutchMahila Vikas Sangathan(KMVS)projectinBhuj(Gujarat); (a) The communityradioinitiativesthatareprofiled,included: community of level the highlight to endeavoured also fieldwork The the and region the of profile cultural and socio-economic the studied I Deccan Development Society (DDS, 2000)project in Pastapur project inDaltonganj Alternative forIndiaDevelopment(AID) (Andhra Pradesh).

Communicator 33 was sought in a more significant manner than as mere respondents in the interrogative context of a structured questionnaire. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The qualitative research done was understood as a complex system that was more than the sum of its parts. Participation of rural audiences

focus group discussion On the whole, the most fulfilling part of the project for me was listening listening was me for project the of part fulfilling most the whole, the On Data analysis was not treated as a distinct end process and, as Data analysis was not treated as a distinct mentioned Thick description, inquiry in depth, direct quotations capturing quotations direct depth, in inquiry description, Thick Focus group discussions with listeners were convened in such a way with listeners were convened Focus group discussions In contrast to this, there was Shashikant Mahato, a visually impaired visually a Mahato, Shashikant was there this, to contrast In I can still recall some of the spontaneous reactions and statements that and statements reactions some of the spontaneous recall I can still The field of community media studies is evolving as a meaningful space of are focusing on the media research. Scholars doing research on community Researching community radio: Emerging themes and concerns Researching discussing the developmental concerns of their region, and community radio concerns of their region, and community discussing the developmental they reporters and project coordinators sharing details of the programmes produced. to community voices – women talking about their issues, men and women and men issues, their about talking women – voices community to earlier, a substantial amount of parallel analysis was carried out as data was carried analysis of parallel amount a substantial earlier, to collection moving from data kept The researcher progressed. collection data analysis and back. planners were conducted. shaped an important part of the inquiry and were critical to understanding the critical part of the inquiry and were shaped an important of the various civil society subject. In-depth interviews with representatives policy and producers content coordinators, programme organisations, people’s personal perspectives and experiences formed the qualitative data qualitative the formed experiences and perspectives personal people’s Researcher’s the phenomenon. to describe how people were experiencing also researcher the of insights and observations experiences, subjective site, so that the women would lift the veil and speak. site, so that the women would lift the situations, and phenomena under study in order to gain insight on multiple under study in order to gain situations, and phenomena team the in colleagues male all when times were There interdependencies. the from away men the all lead to asked be to had that they represented gender, religion, caste and age depending on the socio on the depending age and caste religion, gender, they represented that cultural profile of the village. Direct contact was made with the people, man in another village of Jharkhand, had articulated, “the programme has programme “the had articulated, of Jharkhand, village another in man who have been living in darkness”. brought light to those us enjoy all these facilities”. us enjoy all these Jharkhand, Jharkhand, Chandrika Bhuinya, a Dalit labourer shouted at the researchers here People this. of all out come will Nothing radio? we eat “Can angrily: around villages caste upper the all while or electricity water, land, have don’t took us by surprise. In midst of an focus group discussion in a village in a village discussion in of an focus group surprise. In midst took us by Communicator 34 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 politics around‘news’,and therelatedareasofrelationshipbetween Policy is a major area,as also the ideas of freedom expression and the to highlightthenovelty oftheirlocation,approachesandpractices. communication. individuals andcommunitiestotakecontrolofthe means andcontentof powerless previously enable to station the or sector the by place in efforts manifest themselvesinthedailyfunctioningofacommunity radioandthe understand themannerinwhichideasofinclusivity, equityanddiversity research notion of‘community’ forthecommunityradiostation.Researchersmust for calls This participating/listening? is about thenatureofaudiencesandopensup debatesaroundthe Who is: with deal to in which ways sustainability isinterpretedandconceptualisebythem. different the also, as self-sustaining become to initiatives radio community by adopted means the out figure to research sensitive and of community radio. process distribution and development content the of stages different in to ascertainthenatureandextentofcommunityparticipation discernible or/and governmentsforcommunityradio. The studycouldalsoattempt would analyse the interpretation and notion of participation adopted by NGOs community engagement could beanother potential research theme, that research that helps acommunity radioidentify its levelsandextent of and analysedwithintheexistingemerging conceptualframeworks. waiting tobedocumentedthere work There isawholelotofgoodgrassroots principles associated with community media could be agoodstarting point. against their stated vision, as well as the core universal non-negotiable documents theirendeavours, andcritiquestheirpractices their uniqueness, and more than 200 ofthem, and so,analysing their working that highlights community radiotoday.? of studythat I wouldconsider delving into if Iweretodoresearch on in thepracticeswithininitiatives. heterogeneity within thissectorandtheexperimentation that istakingplace Community radiostations basedoncampusesneedtoberesearched An importantquestionthatcommunityradiostations todayarehaving The fundingimperative and sustainability conundrum needssubstantive out –carrying ‘participation’ with identified is radio community As – radio’‘community today India as Wetermed in something have now I amsharingsomepreliminary thoughtshereaboutthepossibleareas Communicator

35 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017

http://www.amarc. ? Retrieved from [Report on the Sixth World Conference of World [Report on the Sixth Other Voices: The Struggle for Community Radio in Radio for Community The Struggle Other Voices: . What is community radio Waves for Freedom Waves sponsored group meeting of community radio advocates, organised in radio advocates, organised of community sponsored group meeting (Pavarala & Malik, 2007) But let me end here by saying that the research on community radio There are many other ideas that one could mention and discuss here, ideas that one could mention There are many other UNESCO research on Community Radio in India carried out by the author, it borrows it borrows a good deal out by the author, research on Community Radio in India carried book, co-authored her from of material broadcasting in India by communitypermitting radioa sectornot-for-profit to complement commercial radio. the existing state-owned public radio and private It is acknowledged here that, as this is a self-reflective paper on the first ever doctoral Pastapur Initiative on Community Radio, which declared that the government has an the government that which declared Radio, on Community Pastapur Initiative to its of freeing broadcasting from state monopoly to take its intentions obligation to not only to private players but also by making media space available conclusion, logical that the government create a third-tier of document petitioned This landmark communities. Communication, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. Communication, University of Hyderabad, A the (DDS) in July (17–20) 2000, issued Society Development Hyderabad by Deccan At present, he is the UNESCO Chair on Community Media at the Department of Media at the Department At present, he is the UNESCO Chair on Community AMARC (1998). AMARC (1995). Community Radio Broadcasters]. Dakar: Senegal. References India 3

2 Notes 1 to ask the right question. may not provide us with all the answers, but let us all make a sincere effort the NGO-isation debate, community radio and disaster/conflict, of which are etc. – many dilemma versus external monitoring regulation the self- already. probably being explored including those related to appropriate technologies, spectrum allocation, spectrum technologies, appropriate to those related including volunteerism, procedures, licensing the sector, the of economy political the of ownership among producers, volunteers and listeners of community of community producers, volunteers and listeners of ownership among radio programmes. Similarly questions around ownership and management of community of community and management ownership questions around Similarly on gets operationalised community ownership ways in which radio – the on the sense with focus to be studied extensively – has potential the ground community radio and the state. Community Radio as a cultural resource and resource and Radio as a cultural state. Community radio and the community research. of in-depth has huge possibilities around identities the struggles Communicator 36 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Tabing, L.(2002). citizens’ media Rodríguez, C.(2001). radio inIndia. Pavarala, V., & Malik,K.(2007). CA: SagePublications. Patton, M.Q.(1990). from López , V.J.I (1997). 15–25]. Paris:UNESCO. context, InPeterLewis(Ed.), Lewis, P. (1993). Alternative mediainacontemporarysocialandtheoretical into acategoryofbourgeois society. Cambridge:MIT Press. Habermas, J.(1962). The structuraltransformationofthepublicsphere: An inquiry Freire, P. (1970/1983). Sphere actually existing democracy, InCraig Calhoun (Ed.), Fraser, N.(1992).Rethinking thepublicsphere: A contribution tothecritique of Publications.] Other Voices: TheStruggleforCommunityRadioinIndia. radio [Available as Appendix –IIIinPavarala, V., &Malik,Kanchan.K.(2007). DDS (DeccanDevelopmentSociety).2000. The Pastapur initiativeoncommunity Couldry, N.(2010). Sphere Rodríguez [Ed.], Bosch, T. (2010). Theorizing citizens’ media: A rhizomatic approach. In D. Kidd. C. media Bailey, O.,Cammearts,B., &Carpentier, N.(2008). Atton, C.(2002). org/?q=node/47 http://www.amarc.org/?q=node/47 . New York: OpenUniversityPress. . Cambridge:MIT Press. [pp.71–89].Cresskill:HamptonPressInc. . Cresskill:Hampton. New Delhi:SagePublications.

Making ourMedia:GlobalInitiatives Toward aDemocraticPublic Alternative media How todocommunityradio: A primerforcommunityradio Why voicematters Manual Urgente paraRadialistas Apasionados Qualitative evaluationandresearch methods Fissures inthemediascape: An internationalstudyof Pedagogy oftheoppressed Alternative media:Linkingglobalandlocal . London:SagePublications. Other voices:Thestruggleforcommunity . London:Sage. . New York: Continuum. Understanding alternative Habermas andthe Public New Delhi:Sage . NewburyPark, . Retrieved [pp. Communicator

37 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 . Cambridge . Cambridge New Delhi: Sage Invoking civil society’, philosophical arguments society’, philosophical Invoking civil . New Delhi: UNESCO. . New Delhi: Other Voices: The Struggle for Community Radio in India. The Struggle for Community Other Voices: VOICES (1996). Bangalore declaration on radio. In Vinod Pavarala, & Kanchan Vinod declaration on radio. In VOICES (1996). Bangalore Malik, Publications. Taylor, C. (1995). Taylor, University Press. MA: Harvard operators 1 Vol. LI No. 3, October–December, 2016 Communicator

39

Insights

From The Past

Exploring the Future of Community Radio in India

Shweta Prajapati1

1 Communication and Knowledge Management Officer, Centers for International Projects Trust (CIPT), Rajendra Place, New Delhi – 110 008. India. Email: [email protected]

1 Abstract

This study is an attempt to deliberate upon the critical issue of sustainability in the community radio sector with some insights from functioning of various community radio stations in India. While providing a brief account on the interlinked challenges faced by community radio stations, the study discusses a few case studies within the framework of social, technical, financial and institutional sustainability. It is based on the author’s interactions with different community radio stations across India and also her own managerial experience of working with one of the stations. Insights from these varied incidents have been put together to deliberate upon common concerns and also share some interesting observations from the field which can indicate towards possible solutions.

Keywords Community radio, People’s participation, Community media sustainability, Chanderi Ki Awaaz, Vasundhara Vahini Communicator

41 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 very day when I leave from home in morning there is a sunken a is there morning in home from I leave when day very I look time every daunting of future uncertainty the feeling, ahead. But the moment I enter my studio somehow my heart

Another analogical approach aptly describing the concept and concept the describing aptly approach analogical Another So this media doesn’t distinguish itself in terms of content but the but the of content in terms itself distinguish doesn’t So this media Community media, as the term implies, is any form of media which is is any form of media as the term implies, media, Community This is one statement which is reverberated in every community radio in every community which is reverberated This is one statement

functioning of a community media compares it with a rhizome’s characteristics media compares it with a rhizome’s functioning of a community communication system, therefore, that its media should properly be identified be properly should media its that therefore, system, communication and created (Das, 2011). communication roles (and their actors/performers), needs, and resources roles (and their actors/performers), communication community the up make subgroups which and individuals the to available community’s of a framework the is within It media. community called survival in a geographical space, through an exchange of initiatives and and of initiatives space, through an exchange survival in a geographical and is also thus creates, For such an exchange, a community information. system, which includes the various a community communication by, created geographically also. Thus a community has its own Thus a community has its own practices set of beliefs, also. geographically In understood by an outsider. which are not easily and even challenges a community, a group identity is defined, created and maintained for people engaged in its operations including those at the both sending and sending both the at those operations including its engaged in people common a who share people of group a is community a Since end. receiving and often exists together as a society culture, follow same way of living private media organisations and the public broadcasters, both thriving with both thriving and the public broadcasters, organisations media private will explain the constructional details behind it. money and power, concept of alternate media is distinctively based on the group of people the group of people on the based is distinctively media of alternate concept (Medrado, 2007). media of that content the actual that be serving will media exist amidst the seemingly media which closer look at this ‘third world’ A designed and operated by and for the community. UNESCO (2011) clearly UNESCO (2011) community. and for the by operated and designed defines it as an alternate media for people which acts as a transparent and this issues. Here, and interests their of representation for space discursive understand community media with its characteristics and challenges. media with its characteristics understand community is an attempt to collate such struggling voices of people dedicated to work for dedicated people of voices such struggling to collate is an attempt development through use of community radio into an evocative talk. Before move back a step and let’s of the above statement, venturing into integrities journalist’s story. This terse statement indicates a paradoxical situation situation a paradoxical indicates This terse statement story. journalist’s has to radio journalist struggle this community the strenuous concerning This study one holds the ground. zeal with which the unremitting yet undergo resources every day” – Jagroop Singh, Radio Bundelkhand. resources every day” “E in our lies magic The self. to my enthusiastic back spin and I am a takes with our struggle despite keeps me going what that’s love, and listeners’ Communicator 42 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 as itrequiresamultifaceted, low-cost systemwhich canensurecommunity could notbeignored.Operating acommunity radio station is anuphilltask and vivaciousexperience the longlistofhurdlesateverystepitsprocess Broadcasting, GovernmentofIndia). crucial third worldmedia today (asstated by MinistryofInformation & radio functional stations andnotignoringthewobblystatus ofmany around 200areoperational, it leaves behind a bignumberof249asnon- which of out presently licensed stations radio community 449 around With was thenfollowedwithseveral more stations inthe country subsequently. which after also Deccan Development Society’s SangamRadiowasinitiated in 2008.It organisations non-profit include to extended was policy 2004 (Seth, n.d.). The process took more shape when the community radio (first campus or university operated community radio station) going on air in radio was legalised for only educational institutes and began with Anna FM community radio movement in India spans backto2002whencommunity existence isalsodissimilartothatoftheothermainstream media formats. The occupied by community radio, the route to its successfulandsustained vibrant yet challenging media forms.Giventhe unconventional media space Connecting back more specifically to community radio, it is one of the most Mapping theunmappedpath undoubtedly anarduousprocessofelicitingpeople’s participation. comments to becomingleadersoftheircommunity media channel, itis broadcasted information, to subtleparticipation in formofsuggestionsand community media existing today. Movingupfrompassivereceivers of various the in reflected quite apparently are participation of degrees varying the highest seventh level called self-mobilisation (Mikkelson, 2005). These levels, begins at the weakest formofpassive participation andgoesupto participation in the whole process. Participation, as categorised into seven framework become the focal point and an imperative aspect is their makes thecommunitymediahighlyelusiveinnature. and itspositionasthe‘thirdvoice’ otherthanthestateandprivate owners aspect about community media, about its embeddedness in the civil society simultaneously engage inorganisational networks. Interestingly, this unique similar manner which allowsit to remain grounded inthegrassrootsand both horizontal and vertical levels, acommunity media also functionsinthe its rootsinalldirections,anon-uniformmannerandbuildsnetworksat of connectivity, multiplicity and heterogeneity. Justlikearhizome expands While working as a part of a community radio station, it is an enriching Drawing from the above arguments, ‘people’ in community media stations it poses a huge challenge in front of us for sustainingthis a hugechallenge in frontofus stationsitposes community Communicator

43 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017

community radio community community radio community community radio community functioning station includes creating radio programmes, radio creating includes station community radio personnel, station include: community radio community regional political perspectives, supplement the local wisdom with correct facts, supplement the local wisdom with correct which can enhance effective strategies, functionaries including both volunteers and paid members, exercises (with an activity as simple as regular field discussions with discussions field regular as simple as activity an (with exercises community groups), radio station, Lack of access and resources for providing required training to training required and resources for providing of access Lack community radio Issues related to retention of the trained personnel due to lower Limited sources sources Limited and a continuous pressure to devise cost- of funding Lack of fund generating or marketing skills, among motivation constant sustaining in Difficulty exclusion of Discuss burning issues in the society with complete Lack of information and training on technical functionalities of the functionalities on technical training and of information Lack Limited access to validated and scientificinformation which can and tools to new technologies Huge gap of knowledge and access High costs involved in community outreach and engagement outreach in community High costs involved • • • • • • • • • • To reconnoitre these challenges in detail, a typical a detail, in challenges these reconnoitre To community radio

a studio are much more rigorous and expand beyond those of a commercial of a those beyond expand rigorous and much more are studio with one as a inter-linked are intriguingly All the challenges FM station. faced by Some of the key challenges precursor or successor to the other one. capturing community perspectives or practices on the issue on recorder and and recorder on issue the on practices or perspectives community capturing as as well interesting a relevant, bytes into audio recorded the editing then Thus, the processes inside a radio programme. informative is quite meandering with several knots in between. Looking more closely, closely, more Looking knots in between. several with meandering is quite issue the identifying would involve programmes radio creating for example, information; on it for validated within the community; further researching usual day at a usual day at researching sessions and telephonic live broadcast, for them scheduling process sounds this it as simple As linearly programmes. day’s issues for next content generation and broadcasting (or narrowcasting also at some places) (or narrowcasting also at some generation and broadcasting content also the who are ideally the listeners comes and third and most importantly it, a components, these With programmes. radio the in speakers or contributors station, which broadcasts in the radius of 10-15 km of area (if not obstructed in the radius of 10-15 km of station, which broadcasts studio, a recording consists of structurally building) large or any other by a hill human resource responsible for Next, is the and an antenna. a transmitter make it a struggle for the station to operate. struggle for the station make it a driven programming as well as validated flow of information with aprofit non- model of working. All these interlinked perplexing but objectives visioning. However which, indifferent most importantly management and uncertainties for thrives withthe these processes participation of the community involve greater its community in termsofits A community complexities, radio station. radio station ways create programme production,

Communicator 44 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 as asociallysustainablestructure(CEMCA,2015). and buildsitsprogrammesbasedoninterwoven dynamics canbecalled decision making. A station which stems fromcommunity’s owninitiative broadcasting andmanagement of dailyoperations aswellstrategic in every aspect of running the station including programme production, A. Social sustainability various forms: in sustainability understand and regions; different in interacting and reviewing some of the functional solutions forthesame. radio station. of sustainability for acommunity radio station and contextualise possible thecommunity for These uncertainties give risetothe need tounderstandtheexact meaning uncertainties create ways different in visioning. Howevertheseprocessesinvolvegreater complexities, which, in terms ofitsprogramme production, management and mostimportantly A community radio station thrives withtheparticipation of itscommunity Defining sustainabilityfor acommunityradio merits anddemerits. well asthecomingupstations isanissuemore urgent thandiscussingtheir presently working inthe country? Sustaining the currently operational as we reflect on these practical issues reportedly faced by almost all the stations keep promoting morecommunity radio stationstogetestablishedorshould of community communication is? Should we go on praising its strengths and radio stationonepertinent question thatarisesishowsustainablethismodel remunerations Ashok Nagardistrictof Madhya Pradesh. The stationispresently set upinarentedspaceat thecentreofasmalltownChanderiin one shouldvisitChanderi Ki Awaaz. Itis asmall truly wanttowitnessacommunity managedcommunityradiostation may ornotbeagovernmentbody. Despitevaryingviewsifwe by thelicenceholdingparentinstitutionorfunding agencywhich influenced more be to appear cases Some functioning. actual its and concept its in differs station radio community a that debated often is It Community radio Let’s look at the various ‘models’ that emerged in the processof In view of the above discussed modalities in operating a community (n.d.), Pavarala&Malik,2007). stationrunbyindependentcommunityvolunteers (CEMCA, 2015;Dagron,2001;Pradhan,2011; Kazi : Itreferstothedegree of community participation community radio community radio community radio stations in its

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45 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 teams, teams, community station can never be never can station community radio community staff members here have no longer remains questioned as community radio community . community radio 1 : A community radio sector in India are prominently visible at several other places also. sector in India are prominently radio an be not would it that understand us to help examples these Therefore community self-dependent a completely idea to visualise impractical and when that is the case radios stemming from the local communities, of the sustainability with the community. it then evolves and continues to exist advertisements or funded projects, Chanderi Ki Awaaz team displays team displays Awaaz Chanderi Ki advertisements or funded projects, satisfaction of working for their an amazing level of determination and set up comprising majorly of community comprising of a semi-rural Chanderi weavers. present the cases in driven community of strong kind These came forward and the team again grew back to a healthy number of grew back to a healthy number of came forward and the team again all the eight. Interestingly, Every person with each other. excellently synchronised their time convenience and availability so devotes two hours a day as per his/her all. No one person bears the burden that there is a rotating schedule for in alone but the person present anyone task of administrative work or the studio is responsible for the next two hours. With no commercial local government project. At a point where institutional sustainability sustainability At a point where institutional project. local government many among discussion of focus the becomes case of community owned and is an exemplary Awaaz Chanderi Ki operated station. It has faced its everyone had to a point two years back where to delayed rent bills own issues with one person staff ‘owners’ it’s to shut down. Probably at this point almost expected it been working as volunteers and the station has been able to sustain sustain has been able to and the station as volunteers been working last seven years. model for the on the volunteer-ship itself completely bills which are here except the electricity and rent Nobody gets paid Advertising and of (Directorate through DAVP managed sometimes agency through which all government which is a nodal Publicity, Visual revenue or any audio and visual advertisements) ministries route its broadcasting for six hours in a day with a team of eight people who are who are of eight people in a day with a team for six hours broadcasting unique makes this station The fact which of the town. all local residents across the country is that all these eight station staff members have an emergency can be minimised an emergency technical set up a community radio station must have its people enabled with enabled people its have must station radio set up a community technical areas in remote for stations located crucial This is especially the basic skills. of case in repair for any duration time so that accessible easily not are which sustained without building internal expertise on at least the basic technical the basic least on at expertise internal building without sustained support or equipment training An external set-up. station know-how of the of the smooth functioning but for error-free can be facilitated updating B. Technical sustainability Technical B. Communicator 46 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 should be trained gradually but definitely be kept involved throughout. involved This kept be definitely but gradually trained be should they exercise this for skills and understanding lack initially members staff the processofbudgetingand managing income andexpenditure.Evenif the extremely important to involve all the role tooneparticular stakeholder, eventotheparentorganisation. It is station showedthatitisactually not enoughtoassign thefundmanagement Bundelkhand Radio at exercise evaluation team annual an the community as wellitsotherstakeholders. An interesting incident during essential. This isimportant for building a trustedandstrongrelationship with funds, a transparent and accountable fund management system is more of runningthe C.Financial sustainability terms ofpolicylevelfacilitationandscalingup. in for pooled technologies. This initiative, however, requiresfurtheradvancement in efforts extra few a implementing them, they shared positive outcomes of using these new despite and functioning their in radio grave issues faced by the stations. Also, the participating the of some to Uttar solutions efficient low-cost demonstrated Maharashtra, technologies Bihar, Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryanaetc.), interesting resultswereseen like states other and (including mountainous terrain ofUttarakhand, coastal areas inKerala pilots at suitable the technology and secondly pilot testing of that technology at the most This exerciseconsistedoftwophases–researchanddevelopment of and bringingcosteffectivenessincurrentfunctioning. data documentation and management, integration with digital media outreach, lack of training and information, automation requirements, such asincreasing community engagement, increasing the radio by faced challenges different the considering automated Smart Transmitters. These technologies were selected Gramin Radio Inter Network System (GRINS), Mobilevaani and Information System Management into innovations ranging fromlow-costFMantenna to integration of Java initiative for enhancing programme for identifying and piloting low-cost technological solutions radio Recognising theevidenttechnological gap inthecontextof Experiments withtechnologicalinnovationsforcommunityradiostations stationsexpressedkeeninterest in adopting thesetechnologies stations,Development Alternatives had initiated an exploratory community radio community radio Development Alternatives community radio community radio : Financial resources form a critical component stations. After carrying out morethan 20 such stationsingeographically varied locations station and more than the availability of functioning in various ways. Underthis community radio wasabletoexploreavariety of community radio community radio staff members in members staff community radio 2 . Someofthese programming, community community stations

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47 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 per year for per year 3 stations station survive itself stations are located. It located. are stations . The second source of revenue of revenue second source The . 4 stations actually turn out to be a be a out to turn actually stations community radio community stations directly are limited reach of the are limited stations directly station has three sources of funding. has three sources station community radio community community radio community community radio community stations to operate in a tax free mode above which they in a tax free mode stations to operate community radio community community radio community transmitter, and also inability to provide established impact established to provide and also inability transmitter, funded programmes, can a worth question A FM stations? of commercial model the following insights with respect this question gives us two critical asking because any by held grounds ethical the as well as sustainability financial both to A self-funded community radio system A In lieu of the large non-profit funds for projects or any government Typically, a Typically, community radio community radio station is envisioned to operate itself i.e. with local people people local with i.e. itself operate to envisioned is station radio community an of need negates model this Therefore sense. true its in resources local and point by some it is seen as a debatable external support or funds. However, which we shall be discussing further. level results. Third and the most difficult optionownership based on strong highest form of community funds which require community is generated This is the ideal format in which a as well as mutual trust. engagement government funding agencies. Here, some of the key points which discourage Here, funding agencies. government them from funding radio community source of revenue for source of revenue factors these all nuisance considering major or non- government either from obtained grants project is the generation station to physically submit their invoices at the Delhi office of DAVP every DAVP of office Delhi the at invoices their submit physically to station from running DAVP received funding of any repudiation is a which time advertisements which could have been one secure So advertisements. DAVP in remote regions where generally where regions remote in previously for the released from DAVP is an uphill task to get payments it requires somebody from the ‘Advisably’ broadcasted advertisements. fund and several radio stations are still struggling with it. Furthermore, radio stations are still struggling fund and several the to timely does not reach orders also release new about information the and phone networks especially bugs of internet technical owing to the stations the attaining of step first very the fact of matter a As tax. service for liable be will advertisement with DAVP major glitch is another with DAVP empanelment second, in some cases, provide enough funds for a station to sustain its to sustain enough funds for a station cases, provide second, in some 5 of cap a is there like, limitations, certain are there However, expenditures. for for advertising per hour minutes The first one and the simpler looking one isThese chunk. from form the major received advertisements government the advertisements in which advertisements which are to be broadcasted at a fixed rate of Rs. Four per of the station always, so that they all pool in their efforts when required. their efforts when they all pool in always, so that of the station not only builds up a clear and well managed system but also brings financial financial brings also but system managed well and clear a up builds only not condition financial the of aware kept are stakeholders the all as sustainability Communicator 48 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 the institution’s functioningaswellitssocialsustainability. community radio with consentofallconcerned stakeholders. Any kindofdistressamongthe the process bywhichthese policies are formulated. They should beoutlined suitability for individual and thelistcanbecontinued toinclude many thingsdependingupon involvement, team dynamics, remunerations, work premises,genderissues for content policies its generation, programme broadcasting, advertisements, stakeholder define clearly should sustainability institutional D. Institutionalsustainability: relevant listeners. areas whichensuresasubstantial demographic reach tocommercially near the urbanorsemi urban regionswithanaccess to the main market to generate revenue through local advertisements are mostly located that Vasundaracase Vahinior attract local advertisements. However onecannotdelinkthefactinthis also then which themselves people by endorsed is effectively people A very unique initiative was seen in Bundelkhand region where five community radio stationsalignedthemselvesto buildaconsortium where region Bundelkhand in seen was initiative unique very A Formulating regional consortiums a highercredibility and trustwiththem share their views easily then the community radio people. According to him, when the community people recognise this to thestrongcommunityengagement the stationhaswithitscommunity and highadvertisement prices. Yuvraj clearly attributes this possibility approaching commercial FM stationsduetotheir alienated environment opportunities lying with small local businesses whofeel unsure of revenue for runningthestation at aminimum cost, hetalks about the sufficient generate to able been have they how explains often Charge) is exactly following thismodel. As Yuvrajwhich MohanJadhav(StationIn- station such one is Maharashtra Baramati, in years seven than Vasundhara Vahini, a community radio station functioning for more station can harvest ontothe potential of private audio advertisements. deny thatwithacritically balanced approacha forth. However,on andso good ofthecommunityandso onecannot religious orpolitical party, anyproduct/service which isnotincommon radio station ought to follow which includes not promoting any specific secondly italsoreemphasises theethical code ofconductacommunity generating funds independently throughcommercial advertisements and community radio team members over the policies can adversely affect both affect adversely can policies the over members team station. Firstly, it indicates towards thepotential of astheir own where they have access and right to community radio A community radio community radio community radio stations. Also, equally important is 5 . Itscapability to reachout stations which are able stationforgreater automatically has community radio

Communicator 49 several occasions. It was an exquisite model which demonstrated multiple benefits for all the participating stations. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 very unique A initiative was seen in Bundelkhand region where five community radio stations aligned themselves to build a consortium on

consortium stations have community radio community divided the total total the divided stations to explore explore to stations journalist’s statement journalist’s worked fantastically when when worked fantastically community radio community community radio community community radio community community radio community community radio stations radio community community radio stations community sustainability and look across them to devise solutions. sustainability Nevertheless we must look for certain facilitating modifications at a larger entity with each station’s reach and engagement capacities and engagement reach station’s each with entity a larger in overall impact scale large reflected then also which together, grouped Bundelkhand region. This Bundelkhand other for example interesting an is region. which are located in same geographical of higher quality. The five in a series among themselves and number of programmes to be produced of kind This other. each with produced programmes their shared then broadcasting programme the schedule to them allowed arrangement an also and communities regional of their preferences to according monitor programme quality jointly. The other key benefit recognised as projects for funded apply could they was that these stations by all climate change, agricultural livelihoods, water scarcity etc. Hence the etc. Hence scarcity water livelihoods, agricultural change, climate grouping of these they produced programmes together with the same of holding concept This and useful information. entertainment right mix of Bundeli sharing of expertise, to perfect led in a project partners rights as equal and variety with greater programmes and produced skills and resources; the consortium also included stations from both the states including states the from both stations also included consortium the MP), (Chanderi, Awaaz Ki UP), Chanderi (Lalitpur, Lokvani Lalit and MP) (Shivpuri, Dhadkan Radio MP), (Orchha, Bundelkhand Radio communities Though their respective (Sironj, MP). Radio Kisanvani have their own issues similar and geographical and concerns, cultural concerns like all Bundeli folk these culture, five stations share on several occasions. It was an exquisite model which demonstrated which demonstrated an exquisite model occasions. It was on several multiple benefits for all the participating stations.Since Bundelkhand Pradesh, Pradesh and Uttar both Madhya from of districts comprises community radio That statement reflected a shadowing insecurity stemming from unclear the policy level as well as advancements within the local as well as advancements the policy level systems. Connecting back to the layers of the beginning, we must dissect these multiple mentioned will never get derailed. and further enhanced to create many more solutions. Secondly, despite the despite solutions. Secondly, more many create to enhanced and further in these everyday struggle those who work are on a right track and they might falter a bit but that they a staunch belief One prominent perspective construing all these instances and discussions is One prominent perspective construing community in sustainability solutions for achieving certainly are there that radio stations in India. These learnings can be contextualised and modified Dialoguing reflections Dialoguing reflections Communicator 50 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 3 2 1 Notes sprout onitsownfromthecommunity. on radio understood andaccepted then increasing the numberoflicensed community radio andrunningitwitheveryone’s contribution is notpublicly with the general public than the operating bodies. If the idea of owning a network becauseacommunityradio’sNGO functioning is moreconcerned workshops should extendbeyondtheexisting workshops strengthened. Another possibleconsideration here isthattheseawareness Broadcasting in India.Itiscertainly a veryimportant exercise which needstobefurther and Information of Ministry the by led activities awareness interesting observationsfromthe more brainstorminganddebateasthisarticle intended tohighlightsome approach embedding the goodfrombothset-ups.Itisanareaopenfor like ChanderiKi Awaaz hasdemonstrated? Or shouldtherebeablended the skilledpersonnelorshouldwefocusmoretowardsdevelopingaspace should beworkingtowardswideningthescopeofprofessionalgrowthfor we whether think to us leads it So members. staff employed its to offer can station beingalow-costorganisation willalwayshavelimitsastowhatit human resource (apart of institutional) sustainability. A community radio scope asaprofessionalinthe of India. Policy Guidelines for Community Radio by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. Technical Innovations inCR. on theabove saidSmallGrantsProjectfor during whichIhadtheopportunity towork This issourcedfrommypractical experience of workingwith Development Alternatives Rural CommunicationsatDevelopment Alternatives. Based on my practical experience of working with Radio Bundelkhand as Deputy Manager, community radio see whole newunexploredspaceliesaheadforustocapture. People which hasnolimittoitspotential.Everydayisastrugglebut are opportunitiesalso, ...Our futureliesinourownhands,iftherearechallenges As Yuvraj Jadhavsumsupitallperfectly: partners... make themapartofthis and touchitbutarestillunawareofitschallenges. We should One moreideatodeliberate upon, isregardingthecommunityradio stations will not make a difference. Therefore a mass level awareness level mass a Therefore difference. a make not will stations community radio amongcommonpeopleneedstobecreated for itto astheirownmediaandfancyit,comeclose community radio community radio community radio community radio isanirreplaceabletool journeyastrueequal community radio actioninfield. sectorindicating poor community oreven

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[pp. http:// http://mib.nic. , P. Pruulman- , P. Retrieved from (1).

Media Watch, 2 Media Watch, Methods for development work and research: A new guide A Methods for development work and research: Making waves: Stories of participatory communication for of participatory communication for Making waves: Stories Sustaining community radio initiatives in india: Challenges Sustaining community radio initiatives Ground realities:Community radio in India radio realities:Community Ground Retrieved from http://www.communityradio.in/pdf/sustaining-

Community radio and sustainability: A participatory research research participatory A sustainability: Community radio and Media technologies and democracy in an enlarged Europe Europe an enlarged Media technologies and democracy in . Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. Thousand Oaks, . (1), 28–34. New York: The Rockefeller Foundation. York: New New Delhi: CEMCA

in Baramati, Pune, Maharashtra. in Baramati, Experienced during working with Radio Bundelkhand as well as emerged during interviews interviews during emerged as well as Bundelkhand Radio with working during Experienced based in Delhi. staff which are not other community radio with several UNESCO. (2011). UNESCO. (2011). http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002173/217381e.pdf Seth, A. (n.d.). The community radio movement in India. Retrieved from The community radio movement A. (n.d.). Seth, www.gramvaani.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/community-radio-indian-history. pdf Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. Retrieved from in/WriteReadData/documents/c1.pdf Pradhan, D. P. (2011). Community radio as an alternative tier of broadcasting: The tier of broadcasting: Community radio as an alternative (2011). Pradhan, D. P. challenges and prospects in India. Radio Stations in India, Ministry of Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Pavarala, V., & Malik, K. K. (2007). Other voices: The struggle for community The K. (2007). Other voices: & Malik, K. V., Pavarala, radio in India. New Delhi: Sage. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. Retrieved from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, http://mib.nic.in/WriteReadData/documents/Facts_&_Figures_.....pdf Mikkelson, B. (2005). for practitioners Vengerfeldt, K. Nordenstreng, M. Hartmann, P. Vihalemm, B. Cammaerts, and H. B. Cammaerts, Vihalemm, K. Nordenstreng, M. Hartmann, P. Vengerfeldt, Nieminen (Eds.) University Press. Tartu 123–36]. Tartu: community-radio-initiatives-in-india-paper.pdf case study of a A Important but imperfect. A. (2007). Community media: Medrado, favela. In N. Carpentier community television station in a Brazilian Kazi, S. S. (2007). at the grassroots. social change. community radio. of revitalizing rural development through Scope Das, R. (2011). 2 Media Watch, initiative. G. (2001). A. Dagron, References (2015). CEMCA 5 Based on personal interview with Yuvraj Mohan Jadhav from Vasundhara Vahini CR station station CR Vahini Vasundhara from Jadhav Mohan Yuvraj with interview personal on Based 5 4

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1 Executive Director, Ideosync Media Combine, Sector 37, Faridabad, Haryana – 121003, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract

Migrant communities are among the most marginalised communities in any society and they face extensive xenophobia and discrimination. An important component of establishing migrant rights is for societies to establish spaces and platforms that allow migrant communities to express themselves and speak out. One important way to achieve this is the use of community radio, a form of radio that is owned, managed and run by communities themselves. This article examines the challenges of voice poverty as applied to migrants. It explores how community radio have addressed the issue of migrants’ rights and inclusion through sensitive programming and affirmative spaces for migrants to participate in community discussions.

Keywords: Migrants’ rights, Marginalised community, Community radio, Voice poverty, Social inclusion. Communicator

55 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 of the show; From a report a From 3 – . The room is lit by a naked a naked The room is lit by . 1 that forms part of the programme; part forms that 2 any migrant workers any migrant afford time or money to do not have the in factory live them most of shops because internet visiting station often,” very leave and don’t compounds or plantation

His excitement was palpable, as was those of his companions, many of many as was those of his companions, was palpable, His excitement ...And then, more seriously: “And besides, it tells us useful ...And then, more seriously: “And besides, (migrants’) experiences when things about other Nepali pravasis’ like to it’s know what Most of us don’t they come to the city. So many like in the city. it’s come away from our villages, what And so many people ready to take advantage of you!...” vehicles! others travel a fair distance to be part of the group... others travel a fair distance to be part and I prompt Bijay, ...“What do you like about the programme?” in Nepali!” he exclaims, with his face creases into a smile. “It’s it obvious? “Where else in a hint of reproach, as if to say: Isn’t Delhi can I hear a drama in Nepali?...” WorldSpace satellite radio network WorldSpace slightly in the breeze from bulb dangling on a wire, which sways The shadows move as it lights the face of the other the window. and part of the like Bijay, eight men sitting with us, all Nepalis Thursdays to listen and Tuesdays listener group that gathers on in this very room with him; to the programme. Some of them live Gurung, 26, in a small room on the terrace of a dhaba (local room on the terrace of a dhaba Gurung, 26, in a small cook Delhi. Bijay is Nepali, a part time hotel) in Central New of which he lives, and a compulsive listener in the dhaba over radio programme (then) Abroad), a & Desh Pardesh (Home community Nepal by a coalition of Nepali being broadcast across and Mumbai over the radio stations, and receivable in Delhi ...Year 2008. It is late in the evening, and I am sitting with Bijay 2008. It is late in the evening, ...Year

experiences as well, by the local team producing the India end to their own of listening and this too is a source of pride, the experience and the experiences that most resemble their own among those recounted that most resemble their own and the experiences series. Many of the as part of the interviewed migrants by other Nepali own their about programme the for interviewed been have room the in men whom chime in throughout the conversation to tell me the characters they characters the me tell to conversation the throughout in chime whom drama radio in the with identify most section; call-in in the show’s families the messages they have left for their

to the radio on their mobile phones while they are working.” are they while phones mobile their on radio the to a community Radio, Assistance Programme) Community (Migrant on MAP mizzima.com). Thailand (Source: in Mae Sot, radio station for migrants “M is “Radio mail. a in Weekly Business Mizzima told Kham Naw Ko manager workers listen he said. “Many migrant information,” way to get a very easy Communicator 56 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 n Suh sa ta cnito hs ny rw. u t udrtn this understand to But grown. only has conviction that Asia, South and that isenrichingevenasit is utilitarian. value oftheinformationbeing shared,creatingapowerfulsharedexperience discuss, tohaveavoice,carriesimplications that farexceedtheintrinsic they are farawayfromhome. The simple act of being able to participate, roots and empower them with information, ideas and moral support while power of radio, and of voice; and by its ability to connect migrants with their in theirkeepingbytheinitiative,andlistentoprogramme. gather, afewdayseveryweek,tosharethesatellite receiver that has beenleft a language they understand every nuance of, isapriceless boon. And sothey be abletolistenthisinformation in thevoicesofthosetheyknow, andin risks ofunsafebehavioursthatexposesmigrantstohealthlikeHIV. To of migrantsfromtheircountry–andthe connections toestablishednetworks of migration, highlightsthepitfallsandrisksof beingunpreparedandwithout themselves when they meet. But it is also a friend, since it shares experiences only speakamong they haveleftbehind,asalsothelanguagethatnow a misty-eye-inducing reminder ofthefamilies, communities and festivals when facedbytheirnewcircumstances. better thantheir circumstances backhome–anotionthattheylosequickly and friendsoffriends.Somehavecome on the assumptionthat anything is come on the basis oflittle more thanunsubstantiated stories fromfriends, and share the rent for rooms they share with a dozen others. Others have begun to learn some Hindi recently, and make barely enough to afford a meal what they can carry in small knapsacks. Many ofthose in the room have only in the sub-continent, have come on awingandprayer, with little beyond themselves better off, and thank their stars. The majority, like most migrants count support such with feet. Those their find they while support temporary relatives already established in DelhiandMumbai,whohaveprovidedthem of verge the on constantly are them abandoning this search, to return from whence they came: Onlysome have of many But tomorrow. better a of that theyknow, andcometoanunfamiliar metropolis thatholdsthepromise all leave to call difficult the taken have they which for theirs, and them for existence. They are united in their search for better pastures, a better life a senseofcommunityinwhathasotherwisebeenlonelyandtesting remark on howstrange they sound, and on the inanity of what they have said. voices on the show a few weekslater a matter of novelty and laughter as they In thetime since, workingwithcommunity radio stationsacrossIndia In that room, nearly a decade ago, I wasstruck, once again, by the To all of them, the programme is a connection to their people back home, Clearly, theprogrammeisalifelineinlivesofthesemen,building Communicator

57 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017

th and 20 and th , 19 th . Most of the rest . 5 (United Nations, 2016) . 4 In India, of the 1.21 billion people recorded in the 2011 census, In India, of the 1.21 billion people recorded in the 2011 In the first 15 years since the turn of the Millennium, there has been The Industrial Revolution, Colonialism, and the discovery of the and Revolution, Colonialism, The Industrial from one part of the country to the other. That means three in every ten every in three means That other. the country to the of part one from migrants. Out of these, people are 400 million people, or approximately approximately one-third are internal migrants – migrants who have moved who have – migrants migrants internal are one-third approximately especially agrarian livelihoods. Recent rises in ethnic and religious strife rises in ethnic Recent agrarian livelihoods. especially in extremism, religious rise of the and the war in Syria civil – the globally particular – have exacerbated distress migration manifold. have been forced migrants and refugees, driven from their homes by war, driven from their homes by war, have been forced migrants and refugees, and persecution natural calamities livelihoods, traditional and failing poverty to escape an attempt been have has grown faster than the world’s population, increasing the share of increasing the population, world’s the than has grown faster Only 2000. year the in 2.8% from 3.3% to population World’s the in migrants of these Nearly 20 million of this has been voluntary. proportion a small a 41% increase in international migration, with more than 244 million 244 million than more with migration, international in 41% increase a migrants The number of international across the globe. recorded migrants on account of the second kind: forced migration, migration cause due to due cause migration migration, forced kind: second of the on account distress and disadvantaged circumstances meant greater freedom for the privileged to seek education and better quality and better to seek education for the privileged freedom greater meant The migration. Voluntary of migration: of life, this constitutes only one kind been has one current the and century last the in migration of proportion vast centuries (Moch, 2011). More recently, globalisation, and the inexorable globalisation, More recently, centuries (Moch, 2011). seek workers to nations industrial forced have imperatives of economic pull and skills from elsewhere to cut costs and remain competitive. has and globalisation choice, But as a lifestyle do migrate a number of people while New World New all World contributed to increasing migration in the 18 a fluent melding of Hindi and Urdu,with traces of Persian – as are arguably as any synthesis that it brings, and the cultural migration much a product of other influence languages that the world celebrates as the democratic/liberal ideal happens, democratic/liberal as the world celebrates languages that the to a large extent, due to migration. The great syncretic traditions of Sufism, – Hindustani, India North of much across spoken language colloquial the and It is one of the vast ironies of human existence that societies rarely recognize ironies of human existence that societies It is one of the vast way of skills in the bring with them, that migrants contribution economic the and cheaper labour; or the fact that the mingling of cultural influences and Migration and poverty of voice and poverty of Migration better, we must first understand the challenges that the experience of being a being of experience the that challenges the understand first must we better, carries. migrant itself have migratedafter reporting thatthey Women constitute more than70%of all Indianwomen group, withmore the largest single group ofinternal migrants, nearly to the15-29age than 15million child migrants. migrants, with of thembeing a thirdbelong population of Of thisvast marriage .

Communicator 58 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 to bemute spectators even asthey contribute to the economic welfare and one of In it. influence the sublime ironies ofthehuman condition, migrants are doomed forever or discourse local in participate to unable fringes, hidden partoftheir new communities, eternal hangers onattheoutermost the existing marginalised in that society. As aconsequence, they become a double-whammy ofvoicepoverty, becomingevenmoremarginalised than As anextension, migrants,byvirtueoftheiruniquecircumstances, facea society, those who have the least voice, inevitably, are the most marginalised. symptomatically.every Withinexcept address to impossible are argued, be it provides, economic poverty and social marginalisation themselves, it can one’s position within a society (Tacchi, 2006). Without voice, and the agency and tohavethemeansofpresentingone’sperspective to others, governs that goes beyondtheeconomic, andunderpinsit: Voice, the ability to express, widely understood as a consequence of ‘poverty of voice’, a form of poverty marginalised communitiesglobally. storm ofdisadvantagingcircumstances thatmakes migrants amongthemost of manyhumansocialgroupings,andyouhavethebeginningsaperfect aderivative of theinherentxenophobia social groupstothe‘outsider/other’, only stacksthedecksfurtheragainst migrants. Add the basic animosity of programmes welfare social by offered entitlements as well as rights, human community. A poorunderstandingofone’s rights,bothinthesenseofbasic social structures most of us depend on to care and support for us within a among the Nepali listeners of settings, unfamiliar social customs);linguistic barriers, andaswenoted away fromhome,migrants end upfacing new contextual barriers(urban far areas unfamiliar in settling by But circumstances. their escape and start, homecontexts, their in against and seetheactofmigrating elsewhere as apositive route tomake a fresh and discriminated uneducated poor, off alternative, a way to recast the die of life, as it were: Most ofthem start individuals disadvantages them further. these Migration carries an illusion of being a viable while Paradoxically, migrate to escapethesecircumstances, the factofmigration itself weakest-off. the economically also belong to socially disadvantaged communities, who are often also UNICEF, 2012b). Indian womenreportingthattheyhavemigrated after marriage (UNESCO/ the largest singlegroupofinternal migrants, withmorethan70%ofall Womenmigrants. constitute child being them of million 15 than more with vast population of migrants,nearly a thirdbelongtothe15-29agegroup, 2012, 2013a,2013b).Ofthis in extremelyprecariousconditions(UNESCO, more thanaquarter–100MILLIONpeopleareconsideredtobeliving In communication and development discourse, marginalisation is now Overall, a disproportionately large proportionofinternal migrants Desh Pardesh –oftenalackofthe simple Communicator

59 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 (2008) examines poverty of voice, and concludes (2008) examines Why Voice Matters Why Voice Is there an alternative platform that migrant communities can access; can communities migrant that platform Is there an alternative In discussions around voice poverty, liberal/democratic processes and processes liberal/democratic poverty, voice around In discussions familiar with – rather than being passive consumers of content developed consumers of content passive being than – rather with familiar elsewhere, without our inputs and acquiescence. By definition, community community members within whose geography the radio station operates. In operates. station radio the whose geography within members community producers and participants form, community radio makes us all active its ideal and consumption of its content, in languages we use and are in the creation beneficiaries, participants and listeners. From its origins in Bolivia’s Miners- Bolivia’s in origins its From listeners. and participants beneficiaries, essence 2004), the 70 years ago (O’Connor, than more run radio station by the set are and priorities agenda its that fact is the radio of community ‘for the people, by the people and of the people’. In its co-option of the ‘for the people, by the people and democratic principle, this definition of community radio succinctly captures station’s radio also the who are communities its ethos of ownership by the Community radio and migration: The argument Community radio and migration: is radio radio community describe used phrases to commonly One of the where equality and plurality are guiding principles, and where migrants where and principles, guiding are plurality and equality where called is It yes. answer is the Luckily, say? their have conceivably could community radio. a safe platform which privileges the marginalised over the unmarginalised, unmarginalised, the over marginalised the privileges which platform safe a Media ownership is also extensively skewed towards powerful political and and skewed towards powerful political Media ownership is also extensively communities disadvantaged preventing individuals, and entities economic from owning them and governing them. rights. Migrants constitute too small a proportion (and too economically rights. Migrants constitute too small to lobby successfully for their new communities of their weak a section) in their area. prevalent media issues to be presented by the mainstream then this represents a deep denial of voice, a deep form of repression,” he repression,” of form deep a voice, of denial deep a this represents then no provide them new contexts migrants’ notes (p. 9). It is readily evident that their or demand information, ask for support, seek can they where platforms voice that matters (‘second order value of voice’). “If, through an unequal through an “If, of voice’). value (‘second order matters that voice from which some people resources, the materials distribution of narrative adapt or control, are not theirs to of themselves must build their account work speak out, but it ways to physically to have is important only it not that support systems that and media frameworks, enabling to have is important Representation, while checking some boxes related to engagement and engagement some boxes related to while checking Representation, over the means of control does not guarantee way, in a limited participation in his seminal Couldry, and media scholar Nick expression. Communication representative democracy in particular – are often posited as remedies to voice to as remedies – are often posited in particular democracy representative But poverty. this often obfuscates the actual issue, which is one of agency. prosperity of the other sections of their new communities. of their new of the other sections prosperity Communicator 60 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 existing within that community. Migrants,who are more invisible in terms of community radio station, whoareacknowledged,eveninacursoryway, as to the marginalised among the indigenous population within the ambit of the pernicious influence is likely to be more pronouncedly visible with reference rather than ameliorating them. This iscomplicated by thefact that this agenda andtheirpriorities, thereby furtheringtheinequities inthecommunity will trytomakethecommunityradiostationaplatform thatembracestheir behaviour andpowerrelations. Those withpowerandnumbers,inevitably, are subjecttothecapriciousness ofmajoritarianism and thepolitics of human community –andtotallysubjecttotheorganisation’s ownpriorities. conducted by the parent body which runs the station on behalf of the by thecommunity radio station, an extensionofsocialdevelopment work marginalised, migrant communities included, is then limited to an initiative specific types of legal constitutions and registrations. Creating a voice for the by communities, because licenses are only given to organisations that have be argued, oftenactively obstruct thedirect ownership ofsuchprocesses community radio incountries withformalised licensing procedures, it could ethos. Moreimportantly, thestructuresoflicensing and establishment of not alwayssetupbyinstitutions ororganisations that are weddedtothis owned-and-run media;butitisarealitythatcommunityradiostationsare on behalf of the marginalised action may be the guiding principles of community- affirmative and Equity outlined. just have we ideals the from radio for community radio. This has meant a certain distancing ofcommunity notably Bangladesh and India, which both have formal licensing procedures lies inthewaycommunity radio isimaginedin manycountriesinSouth Asia, migrants, andtogivingthemduevoice. that community radioisthesolutiontochallenges of socialinclusion to beamongthe hyper-marginalised populations like migrant communities, which are likely placed tofosterdiscussionsbyandformigrants. community members –community radioisalsoarguably themediumbest exclusively to fostercommunity voiceandconversation – andcuratedby voices, perspectives and ideas. By extension, as a platform envisioned almost of plurality a of inclusive be to placed best are purpose, and definition very providing voicetothosewhohavenone(Fraser&Estrada,2001). radio isexpected toreversethehierarchies of control over information, by Additionally, likeanyothersocial institution, community radio stations problem the of Part challenges. its without not is ideal this seeking But It is in this sense that community radio assumes special significance for It is a logical extension of this principle that community radios, by their most voicepoorinagivenarea.Indeed,onewouldargue Communicator

61 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 will slowly create . 8 – and it is worthwhile to note 7 In this sense, the station, and the community radio station community . 6 station should become the place where those without a the place where those without station should become Strongly volunteer driven, the station has about five part-time Broadcasting is a state subject in meaning Germany, each of the states And fortunately, there are enough international and national examples examples and national are enough international there And fortunately, So what is to be done? Beyond the obvious need for reforms in the employees, but more than 250 volunteers, many of whom are local university but more than 250 volunteers, many of whom are local employees, Radio Corax one of the most influential German community radio stations, and renowned for many of its path breaking activities is free to devise its own laws on the matter one that Saxony-Anhalt is widely perceived by the rest of the country as the factor in making This is a fairly relevant media laws. with the most liberal free-speech context over all else movements in the country in the 1980s. people working in it, see themselves as social activists first, and as aradio and rights a within station the of purpose the placing firmly – second station Radio Corax, located in Halle in the state of Saxony-Anhalt was formally of Saxony-Anhalt state in Halle in the Radio Corax, located rights and workers’ anti-fascist its roots to the traces set up in 2000, and to suggest that this is perfectly possible. to suggest that this is perfectly possible. migrants of and for by, Radio Corax, Halle, Germany: Content and pave the way to understanding and mutual comprehension, instead of instead of comprehension, and mutual and pave the way to understanding 2015). Arora, & suspicion and hostility (Ramakrishnan migrant populations uppermost; and that emphasises equity and social emphasises equity and social and that populations uppermost; migrant the so, doing By most. the justice for those once seen as alien to it – a settled space within the community community radio It should and demand their entitlements. voice go to talk, engage, introspect, and policy that places the interests of the marginalised develop an internal being an on-again/off-again methodology that is subject to the whims and the station, or the pressures within of the current crop of volunteers fancies the Above all, in. is situated stations the society of the by sections exerted become the core purpose of community radio, around which all its other its all which around radio, community of purpose core the become every underpin should inclusion Social oriented. processes are and activities of instead station, radio community made by the decision and every action as a development resource, rather than as a community-owned platform for platform as a community-owned resource, rather than as a development of public re-building and freedom of expression – is the self empowerment understanding of its purpose. affirmativeEquity, action and inclusion must way community radio is licensed, managed and implemented in countries – in countries and implemented is licensed, managed radio way community the community discourse to begin with, are less clearly identifiable as voices voices as identifiable clearly less are with, begin to discourse community the agenda. radio station’s of the community by this capture suppressed Communicator 62 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 become one ofthe largest sociocultural projects in Saxony-Anhalt, as well plurality and diversity. It is no surprise, therefore, that Radio Corax has living in RadioCorax’s listenership area –amulticultural experiment in build bridges andan empathetic understanding between all thecommunities refugee servicesoridentitypapers. to access The programme’svision isto migrant communities: How tolocate a language course, forinstance; or how translation or interpretation, and questions-answers and concerns relevant to migrantsub- forthe a space communities on the airwaves. It is broadcast in multiple languages, with no todevelop the station by effort specific a – Radio Coraxbyrefugeesandmigrant communities living intheHallearea Radio isaweekly programme designed, producedandbroadcast over TV station focusedonrefugeeandmigrantinformation. Common Voices collaboration with theRefugeeRadioNetwork,aEuropeanonlineradioand Radio broadcast overthestationthatlastedtill2005. on Corax’s partnershipwithalocal Kurdish club, which resulted in aKurdish operation andco-existence of RussiancultureinHalle. The secondcentered 100 Russian-speaking residents whodiscussedaspects of the integration, co- and has significant Russian population – eventually working with more than the area –Halle-Neustadt lie in what was once Communist East Germany, in migrants Russian involved first The communities. migrant on focusing 2004, CoraxengagedontwosublocalradioprojectsinHalle-Neustadt,both spoken byimmigrant communities suchasthe Vietnamese andKurdish. In important established has Corax precedents by broadcasting content in about12languages, including those purpose, our for importantly more But and anti-fascist history, andpridesitself on itspirate and protestradio roots. and political activism: Coraxhasnevershiedawayfromitsstudentactivism programming. its ‘ownership’ oftheradiowavesituses. current Director of Programming and Development, referring to how it sees station,” smilesMichaelNicolai,oneofRadioCorax’s earliestmembersand more than a radio station. “More custodians of apublic space than a radio station itselfisapublicly accessible space,oftenresemblingayouthclub variety ofpartnershipswithuniversities and philanthropic foundations. The experimental audio andinstallation from aroundtheglobe;anda work annual RadioRevoltenCulturalFestival,whichshowcasesandcelebrates station itself is involved in avariety of cultural activities, including the privilege of producingprogramming for thestation(Pavarala,2014). The employees Both and memberscontribute an annualfeetobepartofthestation, and forthe members. registered 300 about has station –the students Both were intrinsic to the eventual development of Common Voices Common of development eventual the to intrinsic were Both The stationbroadcasts24hoursaday, about halfofwhichislive 9 , RadioCorax’s mostambitious programme, and created in Programming focuses onlocal culture, music, studentactivities Communicator 63 and garment These factories. are industries where fewer questions are asked, which are happy to have access to cheap labour. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 migrants Typically, take up what are known locally as 3D jobs: Dirty, Dangerous and Demanding – jobs in the construction industry, agriculture, fishing, domestic work Migrant in technical and production skills (Russeau, 2013). in technical and production skills (Russeau, One of the key challenges is that the migrants belong to multiple is that the migrants One of the key challenges It was to address – and especially women the issues faced by migrants Typically, migrants take up what are known locally as 3D jobs: Dirty, as 3D jobs: Dirty, are known locally migrants take up what Typically, With over 2.5 million migrants, Thailand is an important destination for destination important an is Thailand migrants, million 2.5 over With resources that are owned and managed by the migrants themselves – and themselves by the migrants are owned and managed resources that services as they which are coveted places for migrants to volunteer their group to listen to information and share their stories in the language they language the in stories their share and information to group to listen from transitioned have stations the Consequently, in. comfortable most are to become communities, to address migrant designed being an intervention volunteers that belong to all these ethnicities is that the stations can generate belong to all these ethnicities volunteers that the stations Accordingly, as well. languages in multiple programming broadcast in Shan, Burmese, Thai and Northern Thai, allowing each ethnic ethnicities – Kayin, Kayah, Shan, Mon, Rawang, Bama having of advantage the But languages. of variety a speak and – few a name and Tavoyan, to industry. The stations are run by migrants who have been trained by trained been who have migrants run by are stations The industry. Assistance Programme two: One in the Chiang Mai and one in the town of Mae Sot, on Thai- one in the town of Mae Sot, on two: One in the Chiang Mai and as well as zone, industrial well-known a is Mai Chiang border. Myanmar and manufacturing textile Sot houses a garment, Mae a tourist attraction. organisation known as the Migrant Assistance Programme decided to decided Assistance Programme known as the Migrant organisation run would be which stations radio up local setting of possibilities the explore ended up establishing They eventually migrants. for by and produce content migrants, an even more exploited sub-group, who are often forced into migrants, an even more exploited Thailand’s infamous commercial sex industry, or trafficked – that a local fewer questions are asked, which are happy to have access to cheap labour. labour. happy to have access to cheap fewer questions are asked, which are are exploited mercilessly due to their circumstances, Migrants, in particular, the world over. – the story of migrant communities Dangerous and Demanding – jobs in the construction industry, agriculture, industry, – jobs in the construction Dangerous and Demanding fishing, domestic work and garment factories. These are industries where communities often live in poor conditions and are often treated poorly. Most poorly. treated often and are in poor conditions live often communities unfamiliar land. to access basic support in an live in isolation, unable jobs has forced scores of people to flee across the border. Though registered jobs has forced scores of people to flee across the border. care, subsidised medical and welfare social receive to eligible are migrants the migrant mean access to information and limited language barriers migrants in South East Asia (Ladek, 2016). Many of these migrants are from 2016). Many of these migrants Asia (Ladek, in South East migrants of lack a and abuses rights human war, civil land, of Confiscation Myanmar. Radio MAP (Migrant Assistance Programme), Thailand: Community Thailand: Community Programme), Assistance (Migrant Radio MAP migrants Radio by as the largest non-commercial medium in the country. medium non-commercial as the largest Communicator 64 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 the city, whomightfeelthesamesenseofdejection she oncedid(Kumar, experiences, she says,translateon-airwhenspeaks to othermigrants in upon, andshehad to wear longkurtas as part of her uniform everyday. These herself in classrooms where speaking to one’s male classmates was frowned Gurgaon, thesuddencultural conservatismcameasashock–shefound to peacefully co-existwiththeboysinherneighbourhoodandschool.In for child, a as reasons that had little to dowithinfrastructure – back home, shewas allowed cities moved first she when Gurgaon hated she much how at theageofninefromPauriinGarhwal,Uttarakhand, Vandana recalls informs the content she generates on the station. Having movedtoGurgaon Ki Awaaz are notreflectedonothermediaoutletsavailableinthe area. it,and to access cultural vignettes of a kind that is valued by local communities, but which difficult it found who those to assistance of information information: of kind different a provided that station a station, alternate an into it turned choice This crowd. well-to-do the for staff support ancillary weak migrant population that swept into be the domestic support and urbanisation of whatwasoncetheir ancestral land –andtotheeconomically It chosetospeaktheculturally alienated locals, overwhelmed by the rapid principled call onitsaudience, that hasgivenitaspecialidentity ever since. listener its was What address? ‘community’? station the would Who area. the in heard by media. There werealready sixcommercial radio stations that could be a corporatehub,playgroundofthewealthyandwell-to-do andsaturated discussion on who the station’s community would be. After all, Gurgaon was Ki Awaaz Gurgaon (GKA), one soon-to-be of India’s the first urban at community radio stations, team there was the a lot of met first author this When Gurgaon Ki Awaaz andRadio Active: The Indianexperience groups. managed to organise themselves into self help groups, and mutual support information, and inviteotherstospeakthem. The womenhavealso the creation of more than 19 spacesformigrant women togather, share transcended the physical limitations of the broadcast itself, by assisting in to expressthemselvesculturally. migrants for place a and information, assistance migrant offer now stations seek tohelp others withtheinformation they themselves have received. The In arecent interview to anonline portal, Vandana Thapliyal, a The Additionally, the team member reflects on how her own experience as a migrant a as experience own her how on reflects member team Gurgaon Ki AwaazGurgaon Migrant Assistance Programme Migrant Assistance team,aftermuchconsideration,tooka stations havealso Gurgaon Communicator

65 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Kasa . she said (“Rag Pickers are also Environmentalists”). (“Rag Pickers are The final word should go to Vandana from Gurgaon Ki Awaaz, “I began “I Awaaz, Ki Gurgaon from Vandana to go should word final The Together, these examples of how community radio stations contribute radio stations of how community these examples Together, At the other end of the country, At a the Bangalore other based end station of called the Radio country, Arti Jaiman, the director of the station says, “cities need to be planned “cities need to be the station says, the director of Arti Jaiman, 2010. Thanks to the radio station, migrants can feel at home in a strange land, migrants Thanks to the radio station, 2010. and can work for their own well-being”, to see Gurgaon in a completely different light when I began working here in here working began I when light different completely a in Gurgaon see to potential of the medium, and engage creatively with it to take concrete steps concrete take to it with creatively engage and medium, the of potential they choose to within the communities towards the inclusion of migrants settle in. powerful testament to the importance and power of community-owned voice of community-owned and power to the importance powerful testament rights, of migrant on issues engaging policymakers is up to It platforms. and the to comprehend of rights-based entitlements issues and delivery identity to discussions on migration, and how they systematically contribute to the the to contribute systematically they how and on migration, discussions to a are and migration surround migrants myths that many of the unpacking reminder of home: After listening to a rag picker’s recollection of his home of his home recollection to a rag picker’s After listening of home: reminder trajectories different the over mulling left was he show, the on Siliguri, town, is also from Siliguri. lives take. Debashish that people’s is an eye-opener to the station’s listeners, for many of whom the show was of whom the for many listeners, station’s to the is an eye-opener their first introduction to the lives of the waste pickers. For some, including it was a strange a software engineer working in the city, Debashish Roy, migrants who MAP Radio in Thailand engage with, they do the jobs which jobs the do they with, engage Thailand in Radio who MAP migrants silent a is It sorting. and collection refuse including – do to wants else no The show bustling inhabitants. cities and unobtrusive task, invisible to the The multilingual show is hosted by a couple who work as waste-sorters by a couple show is hosted The multilingual in many pickers and waste collectors in the city: Rag and scrap dealers from a variety of states. Like the cosmopolitan cities in India are migrants Active 90.4 engages with migrants through a programme called 90.4 engages with migrants through Active Rakshaka Shramika Parisara the narrative of the migrant as the faceless outsider – but also by creating a migrant as the faceless outsider – the narrative of the cultures, softening barriers. familiarity with other migrants, often a prickly topic because of the strong emotions it arouses in the topic because of the strong emotions migrants, often a prickly outsiders. Community often feels it is being invaded by local populace, which changingand migrants, for airtime spaces creating by this stations do radio in ways to receive migrant populations”. Community radio stations can also radio stations populations”. Community receive migrant in ways to to non- the subject of migration of introducing important function perform this 2016). Communicator 66 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 ii/ from http://uccommedia.in/news/free-radios-in-germany-a-personal-journey-part- Pavarala, V (2014). Free radios in Germany: A personal journey (Part II). Retrieved Lewiston, NY: The EdwinMellenPress. O’Connor, A. (Ed.)2004). http://www.ieg-ego.eu/ The caseofFranceandGermany. Moch, L.P. (2011). migration-thailand com. Ladek, D. G.(December, 2016). The state of migration in Thailand. voices-from-the-other-side-what-happens-when radio-stations-learn-to-listen community radio stations in India. Kumar, R.(December, 2016). Fraser, C.&Estrada,S.R. (2001). LSE: Sage. Couldry ,N.(2008). References 9 http://commonvoices.radiocorax.de/about-us/ 8 7 “BroadcastinginGermany”,http://germanlawarchive.iuscomp.org/?p=386#ToC7 6 5 4 3 Componentsofthe stories. 2 Radio drama: Fiction-based dramatic productions meant to be heard over radio, using a 1 The Worldspacewhich service radio (DTH) Direct-to-Home a was network Radio Satellite Notes

Radio Corax,Jan2017 From aninformalinterview by theauthorwithMichael Nicolai, Programmes Directorof “What isForcedMigration?”:http://www.forcedmigration.org/about/whatisfm “Hindustani language”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustani_language Mumbai participatedintheportionofprogrammeproducedIndia Nepal, withcommunities in therespective geographies. NepalimigrantsinDelhiand tell to effects sound and music (dialogue), voices uses drama Radio medium. audio purely on thisnetworktoreachmigrantsacrossadiversesetofgeographiesinIndiaandNepal. Initiative, under whichtheNepali programme Braoadcast Digital The 2009. and to 1999 and programmes between Asia broadcast Africa http://commonvoices.radiocorax.de/about-us/ Retrieved from http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2016/12/17/state- Desh Pardesh

Internal migrationbeforeandduringtheIndustrialRevolution: Why voicematters:Culture &politicsafterneoliberalism. mochl-2011 CommunityradioinBolivia:Theminers’ radioStations Gurgaon kiawaazshowsthepowerfulpotential of showwerebeingproducedsimultaneously in Indiaand Retrieved from: https://scroll.in/magazine/824064/ European HistoryOnline(EGO). Community radiohandbook - en

Desh Pardesh wasproduced,usedachannel . Paris:UNESCO. Khaosodenglish. Retrieved from

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67 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 . , Proceedings Proceedings Ipsnews.net . New Delhi: . New Delhi: Unesco/Unicef. . New Delhi: Unesco/Unicef. http://www.un.org/ http://eprints.qut.edu.au/1314/1/1314. Internal migration: A Manual Manual A Internal migration: . Retrieved from . Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/ . Retrieved 244 million international migrants living abroad abroad 244 million international migrants living National Workshop on Internal Migration & Human on Internal Migration National Workshop National Workshop on Internal Migration & Human on National Workshop Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India Social Inclusion of Internal Migrants in For a Better Inclusion of Internal Migrants in India: Policy For a Better Inclusion of Internal Migrants http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/05/migrants-tune-in-to-community- . New Delhi: Unesco/Unicef. worldwide, new UN statistics reveal sustainabledevelopment/blog/2016/01/244-million-international-migrants-living- abroad-worldwide-new-un-statistics-reveal/ UNESCO. (2013b) Unesco/Unicef. United Nations (2016). UNESCO. (2013a) Briefs UNESCO. (2012b). Compendium, Vol.2 Development in India: Workshop UNESCO. (2012a). UNESCO. (2012a). Compendium, Vol.1 Development in India: Workshop UNESCO (2011). Urban policies & the right to the city in India: Rights, Urban policies & the UNESCO (2011). citizenship. New Delhi: UNESCO. responsibilities and mapping the new field of communication for development and social change of communication for development mapping the new field Retrieved from University of Queensland. pdf Retrieved from Retrieved from support/ poverty and voice. In J. (2006). Information, communication, Tacchi, images/0023/002318/231862E.pdf Russeau, S.S.K (May, 2013). in to Community Support. Tune Migrants Ramakrishnan, N., & Arora, V. (2015). V. Arora, N., & Ramakrishnan, radio stations for community

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1 Senior Director, Communication for Development, Development Alternatives, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110 016, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract

The three instances cited in this article point to the ability of ordinary citizens with the inclination to report on science being able to harness the facilities of Community Radio Stations so as to broadcast science programmes. Together, all the three experiments integrate the creative abilities of radio reporters in the communities to demystify and communicate science in a language (even colloquial language) that their listeners understand. This article provides a glimpse of three such interventions – a programme series on ‘Science for Women Health and Nutrition’ and mathematics on radio or Radio Maths and the science of climate change, a programme series that goes by the name Shubh Kal. While contributing to raising scientific temper, which is every citizen’s duty, as enshrined in the Constitution of India, these initiatives have laid the foundation of a people’s science movement in the country.

Keywords Community radio, Science Journalism, Shubh Kal, Climate Change, Radio Maths. Communicator

71 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 . Shubh Kal and the science of climate change, a programme series change, a programme of climate and the science 1

he Community Radio Movement in India is on a nimble-footed nimble-footed on a is India in Movement Radio Community he of science journalists with a network science journalism journey for of science strength combined numerical many times the that is today The former two have been developed by a number of community radio radio by a number of community The former two have been developed This article provides a glimpse of three such interventions – a programme such interventions of three provides a glimpse This article Needless to mention, all this has come with a degree of support – Needless to mention, all this has The combined vision, never defined though, is to produce quality pieces quality produce to is though, defined never vision, combined The The form of science journalism that community radio stations are are stations radio community that journalism of science form The

community radio stations and government agencies like DST (dst.gov.in). community radio stations and government agencies like DST run by a number of community radio stations across the country and the radio stations across run by a number of community science, of frontiers the exploring Besides surprising. most been have results between partnership for a template a established has also programme the stations across the country under the aegis of the Government of India’s stations across the country under the aegis of the Government of India’s The programmes have been (DST). Technology Department of Science and radio or Radio Maths that goes by the name series on ‘Science for Women Health and Nutrition’ and mathematics on both, pecuniary as well as the intervention of civil society actors to enable actors society of civil intervention as the as well both, pecuniary creativity in communication for science. and AIDS, nutrition, agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry, climate change climate poultry, husbandry, animal AIDS, nutrition, agriculture, and There is even a series of radio programmes on mathematics. etc. science, hard science, pop science, historical science, and even very silly science, and even very silly pop science, historical science, hard science, pan- the ‘namaste’ behind science the to alluding programme (a science of HIV science the include treated Subjects for instance). greeting, Indian of entertainment that take out the intimidating from science rendering, from science out the intimidating that take of entertainment The result is a friendly and accessible. making science programmes more of new is a mixture that science communicated of orally broad collection learning. the broader realms of entertainment, and yet remaining educational in their in their educational and yet remaining of entertainment, the broader realms many numbering Listeners, way. pedestrian) even say, own (some would and journey of curiosity shared a in participants become thousands, have never tried before. The science journalism practiced by community radio by community practiced journalism science The never tried before. and shares with the community is through a media that engages practitioners an ever expanding and widening array of scientific topics, all fitting into practicing is a school of people’s science, standing on its own feet and able standing on science, is a school of people’s practicing have forms of science media education many traditional to demonstrate what T media put together. and commercial in all other public journalists Communicator 72 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Climate and Development Knowledge Network to adaptingclimate change. Intheprocess,initiative supportedby respect with offer to have region Bundelkhand the in communities farming for disseminating messagesonclimate change andforsharingtheexperiences officials on the other, the one hand,andscientists, policy and decision makers and government Piloted in2008tobridgethecommunication gap betweencommunities on auspicious Shubh Kal : Airing information tomaketheir tomorrow more than just in reasoning scientific and science bring everyday lifediscourseamongpeoplewhotuneintothese radioprogrammes. helped has radio community of engagementandevenattheexpensemaking itsoundpedestrian, programmes beingalluded to herepointthe certainty that withadegree the formula of science communication, the examples of the communication regularly toparticipate/organise communitybasedprogrammes” been added to the programme development and have visited the studio in the community as well as in the radio. Several community members have for arigorousprogramme development. Almost all the members are active radio station) are very poor and have to struggle to eke out the time required Nutrition, “these (community) members(volunteering for thecommunity 50 to travel to the community radio station. Tea served at the station is a perk. Rs. than more no gets volunteer a instance, for Bunkelkhand, Radio of case often, theonlymoneyvolunteersgetistotravelfromtheirhomes.In are volunteers and very few ofthese radio reporters are paid journalists – and learning the intricacies of the subject. Moreover, most of these journalists Much to the contrary, they have been trained under the harsh sun, sweating total reachingupto400,000people(Singh,2017;Singh&Shaikh,2016). of thefourcommunity radio Stationsbroadcaststoabout130villages, in radio stationsChanderiKi Awaaz, RadioDhadkanandLalitLokvani. Each an experiment on communicating the science of climate change: community other community radio stations in the Bundelkhand region were roped in for Alternatives’four with along Bundelkhand, Radio station, radio community Climate Development and Development Knowledge Network(CDKN). social enterprise, Development Alternatives, in apartnershipwiththe While this article presses on the ability of ordinary people to decipher to people ordinary of ability the on presses article this While and Women’sHealth for Science the of evaluation an from quote To The reportersalludedtohavenotbeentrainedinjournalism schools. In the meanwhile, Shubh Kal Shubh Kal hasexploredcommunity radio asamedium hasbeen incubated by New Delhi based hasalsostrengthenedcivil 2 . Communicator

73 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 made use of its Shubh Kal programme to programme use of its Shubh Kal made 3 All in all, the initiative to train young radio journalists on the science to train All in all, the initiative A prism view emerged from the initiative – community radio journalists – community from the initiative prism view emerged A Development Alternatives Development Radio was the chosen vehicle for this effort to tune farmers into Interestingly, Interestingly, the Bundelkhand region, a fragile ecosystem across of climate change with help from the Climate and Development Knowledge change with help from the Climate of climate bare essentials like Network proved to be a win-win as farmers learnt climate change to farmers. or new schemes needed to be introduced. All the same, while training radio or new schemes needed to be introduced. change, Shubh Kal also produced of climate journalists on the science on information of communicating capable channels examining research untouched information and glean what they needed for bringing value to what they needed for bringing value glean and information untouched and policy- decision-makers of their choice; change disciplines climate schemes needed to be tweaked makers got an insight into how government learnt the tact of providing a platform for farming communities to be able communities for farming of providing a platform the tact learnt were able to access a mine of hitherto scientists to share their experiences; steps that the farmers had resorted to in the backdrop of their pedagogic steps that the farmers had resorted understandings. issues. Building this capacity of the radio stations and their voluntary radio to how farmers were adapting gain insights into also helped journalists the change and provide a fresh the to scientists on interpreting perspective build the capacities of the local community radio stations to broadcast about to broadcast stations radio community local the of capacities the build scientists it from the viewpoints of the issues that concerned change, climate farmers of the region saw the very same and provided an exposition of how So too, the four Community Radio Stations in the region. So too, the four Community Radio vastly unlettered people meant that for many households could afford just the just afford could households many for that meant people unlettered vastly source of established itself as a credible the radio has also radio. Fortunately, to be leveraged. positioned for the people and so, was suitably information adapting to climate change – the region’s statistics of penury ridden and of statistics – the region’s change to climate adapting research system. This is premised on the belief that simple adaptation actions This is premised on the belief that simple research system. can help reduce the impacts dates and crop varieties like changing planting of climate change. impacts of climate changes. The region’s agriculture-dependant economy agriculture-dependant The region’s changes. impacts of climate access communities farming its on providing pivoted precariously has been agriculture vast India’s from researchers and scientists from information to the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh has been witness to deep witness to deep has been Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh states of Madhya the society processes by way of enabling voices on climate change impacts and and change impacts voices on climate by way of enabling processes society adaptation. Communicator 74 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 change withdeforestation and decreasingforestcover. and weather was particularly low andthat they stronglyconnected climate highlighted that participants understanding on the difference between climate understanding ofclimatechangeissuesamongtheparticipants. reporter’sAlternatives conductedapreworkshop survey togaugethe and DevelopmentKnowledgeNetwork change, potential adaptation options and the objectives ofthe radio journalists undertaking the workshop onvulnerabilities of climate in makers policy and order tohelpfeedintopolicymaking. experts scientific local to back these communicate concerns, knowledge and practices from the community and, importantly, be communicated to the community. The training was meant to capture local then can which information change climate regarding officials) department right questions to local scientific experts and policy makers (local government Central India. in Bundelkhand of region semi-arid the in livelihood of sources other and newspapers) tounderstandtheimpacts of thechanging climate on agriculture reporters, village level volunteer reportersandprintjournalists (from local Kal project worked towardsstrengthening the capacity of community radio their respectivecommunity radio stations.Development Alternatives’ Shubh participating radio reporterstobecome climate change sciencereportersfor stories. To change do this, the initial workshops were to create a capacity among the climate effective and interesting make to journalists radio participating in theprogramme, the programmetargeted attraining the 39 farming communities. anthropogenic factors contributing to climate change and its impact on a journalist needs tobeabreast with –the concept of climate change, on climate changereporting, thetraining covered thediversesetofissues community radio stations. To equip them with the knowledge to report 2012, aimedattraining39radioreportersandvillage reporters fromfour Development Alternatives organised two capacity building workshops in Training andworkshops advancing ordelayingsowingseeds. This threw upinvaluable information. For instance, the survey Realising that itwasnecessarytoclear the fundamentals ofthe the ask to equipped were they that meant also capacities such Building Aimed atenhancingthejournalistic skills oftheradiojournalists -Shubh Kal project,Development -Shubh Climate Communicator 75 and creating awareness, while aiding government departments by providing simplified information to communities. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 The radio journalists realised as how they, Community Radio reporters can reduce the gap between scientific researchers and communities by disseminating the information officials). For instance, the workshop department Facilitators involved in the hand-holding since the workshop and the since hand-holding the in involved Facilitators Development Alternatives, together with other stakeholders hand- together Alternatives, Development The programme on producing climate change radio journalists as change on producing climate The programme The radio journalists realised how they, as community radio reporters radio as community how they, realised journalists radio The Following the theoretical understanding on climate change concerns concerns change climate on understanding theoretical the Following throughout the life of the Shubh Kal project cited the story behind the throughout the life of the Shubh Kal project cited the story behind the climate change science reporters played an important role in preparing in role an important played reporters science change climate the communities prior to the onset of a climate crisis. disasters. Reporters were thus trained to identify the emerging trends that the emerging to identify disasters. Reporters were thus trained that in came to appreciate They they cover. may impact the communities order to effectively recognise impending environmental concerns, they as that climate change science journalism is way beyond reporting on climate change science journalism is way beyond that climate would play they journalists science change – as climate disasters change an important role to warn listeners of the adverse effects of approaching held the climate change science reporters, simultaneously emphasising simultaneously change science reporters, held the climate trainers from Development Alternatives along with experts sourced from sourced experts with along Alternatives Development from trainers of producing balanced, the importance government bodies emphasised on relevant for their audience. focused and interesting climate stories interactions with villagers, local experts and officials of the government (to skills, their to enhancing was paid attention Alongside, information). collect The producing short radio stories and plays. in mock interviews, engaging theoretical and practical experience to the attending radio journalists, to the attending experience and practical theoretical change journalism as well as of climate them the fundamentals ‘teaching’ direct during change issue of climate of bringing up the bolts nuts and the part of Development Alternatives Shubh Kal programme provided both provided Shubh Kal programme Alternatives of Development part government departments by providing simplified information to communities. to information simplified providing by departments government policymakers in informing role also understood their reporters In return, the about local needs and issues. can reduce the gap between aiding awareness, while creating and information the disseminating scientific researchers and communities by facilitators stressed that climate change stories can also have additional change that climate stressed facilitators livestock etc. on health, migration, livelihoods, angles such as effects the training took up the role of community radio stations in communicating stations radio of community role took up the training the (farmers, local scientists to the three stakeholders change information climate and local government communicating issues connected with climate change, its mitigation and its mitigation change, climate with connected issues communicating of climate the impacts pronounced to it and how increasingly adaptation region, farmers of the marginal small and for the most vulnerable change were and bringing the participants on the same page vis-à-vis the need for vis-à-vis the on the same page the participants and bringing Communicator 76 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 issues raised. small groupsofparticipants in 30villagestoobtainfeedbackanddiscussthe jingles andfolksongs. Additionally,were narrowcastto theradioshows January 2013. All programmessubscribed to an‘infotainment’ styleusing that theybroadcasttomorethan400villages dramas ortalk showsfrom across arangeofformats–interviews,features,magazine, documentaries, radio stations made 12radio shows on ahostofclimate change issues,spread mentoring fromtheShubhKalteam. feedback analysed the first set of programmes helped the journalists received share and appreciate to workshop two-day a Later, stations. radio different and exchangeofexperiences between community radio reportersfrom Shubh Kalprogramme also providedaplatform for knowledgesharing on climate The workshops change aspartofDevelopment Alternatives Peer learning change. They werealsohintedwithquestionstoaskthefarmerorexperts stories interesting besides radioprogrammesonthemesrelated to climate using acreative licence that wenttogether with advice on howtomaketheir the confidence that the journalists would be able to make their own stories – information and knowledge shared at the workshop wascouched in creating the adaptation options and sources of information. Needless to say, the and communitiesbringtotheprocessesofadaptingchangingclimate. people innovations what and level ground the at change climate of effects wider community ofclimate change scientistsanddecision makersthereal They also understood how they were pivoted to show policy makers and the directly with communities and beingabletoaccessissuesatthegrassroots. and alsohelped them realise their enviable position by virtue of working Bollywood songs. and so,fewwouldtuneintothese,unlessitwasfortheurge oflistening to announced overthepublicbroadcaster were oftennotinthelocal dialect by community radios could help reverse this trend. Government schemes stories such of coverage the that was here emphasis The afforded. package not did people because have any off information on it and take so, were unaware not of the available benefitsdid the it how and region the in measure Bundelkhand Package introduced by the government as a drought mitigation After this initial radio content on climate change science, each of the An understandingoftheseconceptshelped the reportersappreciate Such instances motivated the climate change science radio reporters Communicator

77 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 5 . The project 4 content sharing platform. Surely, platform. Surely, content sharing Ek Anek Awaaz Duniya The programme is based on the belief that science, tightly coupled and coupled tightly science, that belief on the is based programme The Vigyan Prasar, the communication wing of NCSTC, through its Gender through its wing of NCSTC, communication the Prasar, Vigyan Through participatory programmes, specially designed with specific The uniqueness and the success are the broadcast of radio of the project Besides these, the community radio journalists also exposed to nutrition; about washing hands before eating etc. an understanding of the natural world, can be best communicated by relating an understanding of the natural world, can be best communicated to preserve not to overcook vegetables issues – how life it to everyday and rural parts of the country, besides farmers, artisans and tribal and people besides farmers, artisans and tribal and and rural parts of the country, sector (Dutta & Mishra, 2014). finding employment with the unorganised Women’s Health and Nutrition with the objective of promoting research and research promoting of objective the with Nutrition and Health Women’s of to improve quality of technologies awareness for communication create in urban of women living empowerment for gainful and opportunities lives and Technology Communication division (GTCD), initiated the Science for the Science (GTCD), initiated division Communication Technology and programming, the project studies how best women can be encouraged to encouraged be women can how best studies project the programming, the benefits of science and scientific knowledge in their daily life, using the community radio. issues in focus and using the community in participatory forms of radio- participatory in issues in focus and using the community tongue to influence behaviour change intheir daily lives. The project was started in 2007 and is now reached in its fifth phase in which 14 community the programme. radios across 14 states of India are implementing programmes to laymen in their own native languages, dialects and mother and dialects languages, native own their in laymen to programmes from the marginalised sections as as well sections in poorly literate of the society from the marginalised sectors across the sections, both in the urban and rural challenged literacy country. Department of Science and Technology, Government of India of Government Technology, and Science of Department issues the awareness of women aims to increase about health and knowledge come to be reached targeted radio. Most of the women through community Science for Women’s Health and Nutrition (SFWHN) is a flagship project of project flagship a is (SFWHN) Nutrition and Health Women’s for Science (NCSTC), Communication Technology of Science and the National Council and they were also participants and facilitators during both workshops. participants and facilitators during and they were also Health and Nutrition Women Science for mitigating its impacts on agriculture) produced by other radio stations in the by other radio produced its impacts on agriculture) mitigating the country through process of the part were too media mainstream the from journalists few local programmes on climate change adaptation (particularly emphasising on emphasising (particularly adaptation change on climate programmes awareness among Vigyan Prasarset and development communication. out itsobjective of activitiesor on genderand as promoting stake holders programmes technology technology

Communicator 78 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 overall empowerment. and communication technology and science effective through development a view to increase the contribution of women to science, technology and and technologies andtraditional wisdom especially for ruralareaswith programmes, extension and demonstration of userfriendly modern science living indisasterzonesetc. among tribalcommunities,thoselivingbelowthepovertylineand specially Nutrition targets and themostunderprivileged group ofwomenforallprogrammes– Health Women for Science The communication. and development of activities orprogrammesongenderandtechnology set outitsobjectiveaspromotingtechnologyawarenessamongstakeholders sectoral integration in knowledge sharing. To achieve this, Vigyan Prasar for deprived,underprivileged and selective population andalackofinter- communication. This will alsohelpaddressthelackofspecial messages hampered aneedbasedidentificationoftechnologies. an absenceofstructuredcomprehensiveinformation and accessibility has difficulty in selection of messages (relevant and correct information). Besides, the absence of information providers and of local communication content, a life. Science,inscience communication has tobeappropriate to theusers, of knowledge of thesimple science behind whathappensinourday-to-day This ispreceded by aneedassessmenttoidentifytechnologygaps • • • • • • • • • • • Vigyan Prasar It hasundertaken appropriate blendingofawarenessandtraining All ofthesechallenges can bemetbyaddressingthelackofskillsfor This, howeverisbesetwithchallenges,stemming mainly fromalack Training andworkshopsofresource persons. Dissemination ofthescientificinformationandknowledge, Pre-testing thematerials, Development ofresourcematerial, Finalisation ofprogramme, Training ofwomenforcreativecontentcreation, Brainstorming workshops,exploratorymeetingsand discussions, Conceptualisation ofprogramme, Assessment, evaluation and analysistoidentify areas, topics,targets Formation ofadvisorycommitteeinvolvinglocalexperts, Identification ofpartners, for intervention, 6 has alsodetailed the steps in developing the programmes:

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79 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 . Since then, it has been serving 7 While the programme has reached out to millions of women through the through women of millions to out reached has programme the While As Manjula, a volunteer attached to Krishi Community Radio Station, Station, Radio Krishi Community to attached volunteer a As Manjula, The idea behind the initial survey is to convey that reporting science reporting that survey is to convey initial behind the The idea The process of capacity building that the Science for Women Health and Health Women for Science the that building capacity of process The country and was launched on 17 May 2007 country and was launched on agriculture of technologies transfer the to address needs of the farmers the Krishi Community Radio Station 90.4 Mhz Krishi community radio station is the first agriculture based station in the two Community Radio Stations, Krishi CRS in Karnataka’s Dharwar district Dharwar district Karnataka’s Krishi CRS in Stations, Radio two Community Andhra Pradesh. in Bhimavaram, Vishnu and Community Radio involvement of over 100 radio stations, this article provides a brief study of this article of over 100 radio stations, involvement was really exciting, that younger people in the community can learn the learn can community in the younger people that exciting, was really are also experts about things knowledge also. So, we villagers traditional she says”. that we do know, requirements, but also makes me do things at home itself to get a better a get to itself home at things do me makes also but requirements, foods special of programme a did also says. Manjula she of food,” quality “This of Sankranti, an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. on the occasion pollution, atmospheric pollution etc.” As part of her association with the of her association As part etc.” pollution atmospheric pollution, learnt to make Soya Milk. “This is not community radio station, Manjula protein the supplements and young children, food for my enriching only Dharwar says, “I was one of the active members of the survey, I had gone I had survey, of the members active of the was one Dharwar says, “I put up stickers, of the community, from house to house to asking the needs songs, plastic tips, food including programmes, many I remember etc. them, their families. programming, recording and editing. As a result, in a matter of months, the months, of matter a in result, a As editing. and recording programming, issues and interpret who examine of women good team has a station radio focussed on the needs of women, and through concerning health and nutrition over radio is possible if they learn the basics of radio broadcast journalism. if they learn the basics of radio over radio is possible This is what happens after the field survey – as the radio station awaits the of radio the basics to learn women get grants, the of government sanction baseline survey, each woman surveying up to 100 households. each woman surveying up to 100 baseline survey, Nutrition programmes undertake are different from the Shubh Kal-CDKN women of women begins with schooled in that the participation approach begins with a The project towards science. an inclination who have shown materials. and suitable subjects, topics, messages etc. Vigyan Prasar has also laid out out laid has also Prasar Vigyan etc. messages topics, subjects, suitable and communication and other material of resource production for the procedures Communicator 80 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 with community members, which isalegacy from yearsofworkingthe community of the University) of the project team enjoyed close interaction enhance thequalityofscripts. scientifically to support provided also experts the of some Indeed, scripts. Dharwar, Karnatakaandexpertsappointedfor thereviewandvettingof supported byfaculty members oftheUniversity Agricultural Sciences, shyness”. encourage a number of my co-slum dwellers to come forward and shed their story building. But now we walk in and out of the studio on a regular basis. I multi- a of scared WeUniversity? really a initially in were department their made me very proud and empowered. Who will otherwise let a 10 ascience thatpursuing who woman mind participated in the programme, “my chance to come to the campus itself young a Banggirappa, enquiring Kamala the quote To brings. of programme offshoot an also is this radio programme was an empowering experience to begin with – innately, sharing). is evidenced by the progrmme etc. More than 50 percent of content produced by community members as it farmers and scientist), folksongs ( like Interviews withthescientists, chats, formats different span and style and treatment language in colloquial programme wassupportedbytheDepartmentofScienceand Technology. This 2011. in Nutrition’ and Women’sHealth for ‘Science on programme rural community development would helpandinthisdirection, initiated a focusing onissuesrelating to health, nutrition, environment, agriculture and involved inthestation. reaches nearly 35 surroundingvillages and progressivefarmersareactively engaged in active involvement of farmers in production of programmes. It nearby slum settlements. As partofitsmissionKrishiCommunity Radio is involved women fromthe local community, mostofthem coming from the Universityof Agricultural Sciences, Dharwar, Karnataka, the programme the reachofcommunity radio station. The radiostationisoperatedby and toaddresstheissuesproblemsofagrarian society surrounding Community members and studentmembers (drawn fromthe student actively was project Nutrition and Health Women for Science The Getting to participate in the The programmes broadcast bythecommunity radio station are In keepingwithitsmission,thecommunityradiostationfeltthat krishi chintana Science for Women’sScience Nutrition and Health Hanti Padagalu krishi chintana (farmers to farmersexperience ) phone-ins,skits,dramas (adiscussionforumfor th passinto

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81 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 According to Karuna, a participant in the project, “Since becoming in the project, According to Karuna, a participant The broadcast programmes (182 programmes in all) covered nine The broadcast Simultaneously, a 10-member Advisory Committee was constituted was Advisory Committee a 10-member Simultaneously, A 24-member Community Radio Station Management Board functions Board Management Station Radio Community 24-member A tool to educate the community members about health, nutrition, general members about tool to educate the community scientific and healthy a and hand one the on customs social about awareness of the main aims of the programme was to establish close linkage with the with close linkage establish was to programme of the aims main of the participation. their for ensuring them with engage to and community local was planned to be used as an empowering radio station The community Community Radio Vishnu – Maa Voori Amma – Maa Voori Community Radio Vishnu one Yet, college. of an engineering is run from the premises station radio The come in packaged items like milk packets, I make sure it is segregated and come in packaged items like milk packets, fields.” then disposed, but not thrown in the part of the radio programme on environment and the activities that were and the activities on environment part of the radio programme I have stopped using plastics, and when it does in our village, organised such activities like nature walks, seed collection competition, cleaning of cleaning competition, collection seed walks, nature like such activities local ponds, waste management etc. university’s university’s extension department officers directly interacting with farmers with coping and conditions drought amidst of prosperity address issues to and spurred radio programmes The faces. the community that natural stresses the biodiversity, soil health, women’s health and occupational hazards, animal hazards, and occupational health women’s health, soil biodiversity, and environment. astronomy management, disaster health, and human the with especially addition, value been also has there broadcasting, Beyond thematic areas relating to water and sanitation, weather and climate, to water and sanitation, areas relating thematic Nutrition Programmes in 2009 that supported the station. The broadcast The station. supported the in 2009 that Programmes Nutrition timings were finalised in consultation with the community members, giving members. of community and availability to the convenience due accordance specifically for the First Phase of the Science for Women’s Health and decision making follows a prescribed procedure of sending an agenda for a a prescribed procedure of sending decision making follows as per encouraged and open discussions are meeting, the convening meeting, the minutes maintained. radio station management team and enjoy policy and strategic level decision level strategic and policy enjoy and team management station radio for the has been constituted Advisory Committee An making responsibility. project. The Board meets once in every All 2-6 documentation months. and with eight women and 16 men. Community Members are part of the community community of the part are Members Community women and 16 men. with eight radio station. The studio was completely accessible and nearby community and nearby accessible was completely The studio radio station. welcome. a barrier as they were did not create felt that the campus members Communicator 82 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 health, food toxicology, gynaecology and health for womenand gastritis, diabetes and ageingproblems,population,foodsecurity and atmosphere and health, balanced diet,nutritive value ofvariousfoods, farming andhealth;womenasrolemodels. organic care; primary and aid first taken; be to precautions and anemia of and theimpacts ofthese onhealth; healthy cooking methods;thecauses each ontheimportance of vitamins and minerals; soils, sediments and water 182 episodeswerebroadcast –15episodesongeneral health, 20 episodes experts aftertheradioprogrammes.Overaperiod of sixmonths(2011), the programmes andcommunity memberscontinued to dialogue with the actively participating in programing. At times, the expertsalsoledsomeof a contributes of specialisation(rice,horticulture,fisheriesetc.). Kendra Vigyan Krishi areas different from scientists local seven daily,engaging programme 30-minute the Besides, well. as people advisory team members. Interestingly, the series involved visually impaired local gynaecologist anddoctors,including an eyespecialist alsoservedas own interestandtheirscriptswerevetted by expertspriortorecording. A episode basis. Mostofthese students engaged in script writing out oftheir teachers fromtheengineeringcollege). got helpfromlocal doctors besidesother community members (including from the local schools were engaged to write the scripts. For expertise, they as well. Ontheother hand, schoolandcollege students andthe teachers this. Community members and students compered programmes voluntarily the entireprogramming of theDST Grantprogrammesandwerenotpaidfor specifically fortheMaa Voori AmmaProgramme. decision making responsibility. An advisorycommittee was alsoconstituted the content for broadcast. All ofthemhadmajorpolicyandstrategic level board with four womenand six men (two fromthe community) oversaw in the surrounding areas. A 10-member community radio station management ailments, and dissemination of important health information to rural women importance of immunisation, prevention strategies and treatment of common other hand approach tocooking,cleanenvironmentandhealthwell-beingonthe The programme also produced 30episodeseach on thethemes of The expertsalsoworkedclosely, notonlyvetting the scriptsbutalso Student scriptwritersfromthecollegewerealsoavailable onaper- Students andcommunity members acted as anchors(voluntarily) for There was alsoaspecial objective of creating a greater awareness onthe 8 . Communicator 83 episodes each on the importance of vitamins and minerals; soils, sediments and water and the impacts of these on health. Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Over a period of six months (2011), 182 episodes were broadcast – 15 episodes on general health, 20 classes th to 9 th Launched in 2008, the station is run by the Jadavpur University under its under University Jadavpur the by run is station the 2008, in Launched Community radio station Vishnu engages closely with local NGOs with local closely engages Vishnu radio station Community Residents of the colonies of Kovvada and Durgapuram in the precincts in of Kovvada and Durgapuram Residents of the colonies Formats included interviews, talent show, talks, discussions with talks, show, talent interviews, included Formats majority of the Maths on Radio programmes were designed to address their were of the Maths on Radio programmes majority needs. is an urban settlement which is mostly inhabited by the student community student by the inhabited is mostly which settlement urban is an in the 6 Radio JU chose students studying people. and local mind, in audience target the Keeping series. the for audience target as its Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). Jadavpur (TEQIP). Programme Improvement Quality Education Technical Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST, Government of India, Radio Government (NCSTC), DST, Communication Technology a broadcast and produced conceptualised, University) Jadavpur JU (Radio (hereinafter Maths on Radio). radio series of 90 episodes on mathematics, also been funded by DST and intends to promote the use of mathematics in the use of mathematics and intends to promote also been funded by DST among and address their fear of mathematics, the day-to-day lives of people its other objectives. With support from National Council for Science & The Maths on Radio series has been a unique experiment to provide knowledge to provide experiment series has been a unique Maths on Radio The has The project to listeners. abilities basic numerical of numbers and impart programmes closely with the support of these NGOs as well. programmes closely with the support Radio Maths working on leprosy, visual impairment, etc. These helped to also produce etc. visual impairment, working on leprosy, evaluation team, they said that while they were shy team, they said of talking about their evaluation overcome them helped had programme radio and issues, health personal very their shyness. the radio programmes, a remarkable achievement considering that most that considering achievement a remarkable radio programmes, the team were elderly and this to the evaluation of the women who mentioned Speaking to the in the programme. involved and were not directly unlettered of the community radio station spoke of how they worked to make their how they worked to make spoke of radio station of the community environment cleaner. Women attributed this to the awareness created by experts, quiz contests, discussion forums and skits, adapted ballads and folk and ballads adapted skits, forums and discussion contests, quiz experts, health topics. songs to communicate earned a radio as a part of their engagement role. earned a radio as a were complemented by awareness workshops and street plays in the three plays in the three and street awareness workshops by were complemented of the to the high engagement Due and rural communities. slum clusters the community from of the participants basis, most on an active community empowerment. Each programme had a jingle or a song to keep the interest interest the keep song to or a jingle a had programme Each empowerment. of the listeners and engage them. Besides these, the radio broadcasts Communicator 84 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 cent wantedtousemathematics intheirdailylife. mathematical tricks andtips;17percentlikedtheprogramme while 12per they likedmathematics; 23 percentfoundtheprogrammeuseful forlearning report says that 29per cent said that they listened to the programme because Sunno Theke Suru lives andareabletounderstand,62percent said theywereabletounderstand manner so that most of the listeners could relate the subject to their daily after listeningtheprogramme. while 59 per cent said that the programme was able to address the maths fear felt that the Maths on Radio programme made mathematics easy for them children changetheirapproachtosolvingmathematicalproblems. fear,this addressing Besides life. day of mathematics amongmanylisteners, popularising mathematics in day-to- Sunno ThekeSuru the signature tune anditscontent. Around 50percent of therespondentsaid identify Maths on Radio programme from a playlist of programmes, from could respondents most that suggested India Foundation OneWorld based Aryabhata andNewtontheirwork. aired programme on the lives of eminent mathematicians like Ramanujan, of mathematics and biographyofeminent mathematicians. RadioJUalso percentage, quadrilateral, mensuration, geometry, trigonometry, history included topics like the number system, square-root, the metric system, children, amajority of thetopicswerecurriculum-based. produced inHinditocatertheneedsofurbancosmopolitanpopulation. also were episodes few a while Bangla language, local the in broadcast and way. The MathsonRadio programme of Radio JU wasprimarily produced provide tips and introduce tricks and teach mathematics in an entertaining to Zero’ aimed ataddressingthefearofmathsamongschoolgoingchildren, 90 episodesunderthe series title ‘ Dwelling on thereasons behindlistening Radio JU team tried to package the radio programmes in a creative According to the One World report (2013), 65 per cent of the respondents The MathsonRadioprogramme was successfulinaddressingthefear An end-linesurveyconducted amongtheschoolchildrenbyNewDelhi Since theradioserieswasaimed atcatering to theneedsofschoolgoing The regular broadcast of the Maths onRadio series in 2013consisted of and35percent were able to understand it uptoanextent. istheirfavouriteprogrammebroadcastonRadioJU. Sunno ThekeSuru Sunno ThekeSuru’s Sunno Theke Suru ’ whichtranslates as ‘Zero Sunno ThekeSuru alsohelped many , OneWorld’s

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85 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Radio JU has produced a significant number of songs on Maths – every – Maths on songs of number significant a produced has JU Radio Research included background research for each episode, sourcing Research included background research The production process began with conceptualising and finalising ideas finalising and conceptualising with began process production The Similarly, 37 per cent found it useful for their curriculum based for their curriculum found it useful 37 per cent Similarly, Bengali Songs. The idea behind using parody songs was to attract listeners these to relate could audiences the because programmes mathematics the to songs. episode included a song, usually parodies of the Hindi / Bollywood and and packaged into a magazine format These included a radio drama (role drama, talks, vox-pops and interviews. consisting different segments like and interviews with school teachers. play), puzzle, mathematics facts, talks Programme format Programme of Radio JU were produced The majority of Maths on Radio programmes too. The research was followed by the scripting of radio programme which The research too. Advisory Committee. were finally vetted by experts on the to the core team, video sharing website YouTube helped in understanding and YouTube video sharing website to the core team, manner. questions in an easy process of solving mathematics the explaining riddles and on puzzles information getting in helpful were tutorials YouTube the internet, books and magazines besides websites like Wikipedia, www. According content. authentic source to referred were vedicmathematics.org which, the production team chalked out the flow of episodes, structure and initiated research. selecting topics for the radio series. However, most of the ideas came from the most the radio series. However, selecting topics for ideas were shared with an advisory These of volunteers. and team core team following design, on programme inputs for basis regular a on committee and topics for the radio series. The findings of baseline survey helped in However, understanding the needs for experts’ intervention in producing intervention the needs for experts’ understanding However, of experienced JU roped in a team programmes, Radio mathematics and mathematics. background in creative programming professionals with The production team of Maths on Radio included a mix of college students; Radio included a mix of college team of Maths on The production professionals. and core team of production volunteers, home-makers helpful in solving riddles and puzzles. solving riddles and helpful in The process mathematics, 23 per cent for daily market related problems and 21 per cent 21 per and problems related market daily for cent per 23 mathematics, Communicator 86 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 on totakethemysteryoutofscience. knowledge oftheformatstheyarecomfortable to produce,canbedepended journalists, as creative communicators versed withtheir domain and withthe subject. the demystified has change climate on programmes produce to Alternatives for theeleventh year. Likewise,CDKN’s collaboration with Development to havestayedthecourseofpartneringwithcommunity radio stations,now willing to experiment with community radio. Itgoestothecredit of DST strength ofvolunteerswhohaveengagedwithRadioMaths. episodes andhave reached over 800villages. This goes together smaller science communication. The DST programme has produced over 11,000 Health Women’s for ‘Science the and Nutrition’ andhave produced over 1,000womenreportersinvolved in on programmes produce to DST with programmes onthesubject. science language, many radiostationsacross the countryhavebeguncreating Radio Bundelkhand’s foray into communicating climate change in a people’s science programmes havecometooccupyin community radio. Following media isnotledbythethree‘C’s –Cinema,CrimeandCricket. young peopleinterestedinsciencecommunications in ruralIndiawherethe experts whocanprovideboth,guidanceandperspective, is possiblewith Science communication, when conjoined with everyday life and with local Conclusion of RadioJU.Prizesweregiveninalmosteveryepisode. were askedduringthe show. Audiences could answer it over phonenumbers with theaudiences, questionsrelated to thetopicofradioprogramme of solvingmathsquestionsandpuzzles. To ensureandincrease engagement popular cartoon characters like ‘Shinchan’ were used to explain the process of characters in drama segment. Daily life characters like train hawkers and At theendofday, alltheseprogrammes have established that radio In all the three cases, the programmes had the support of partners In thepastdecade, over 100community radio stationshavepartnered The three series alluded in thisarticle point to the important space Another important and creative input in the programming was the use Communicator

87 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017

http://www.dst.gov.in/ Innovations in Community Radio With special Innovations in Community Radio With . Retrieved from http://mib.nic.in/WriteReadData/documents/ %E2%80%98science-women%E2%80%99s-health-and-nutrition-an#.WOXdpYGGPIW %E2%80%98science-women%E2%80%99s-health-and-nutrition-an#.WOXdpYGGPIW programmes on climate change, is now a larger programme on Climate Change Adaptation Adaptation Change on Climate programme larger change, is now a programmes on climate Communication for Development team. Alternatives’ initiated by Development in New Delhi with field activities in the Bundelkhand region. Development Alternatives also holds the licence for North India’s firstRadio NGO-operated Community Radio Bundelkhand. Station, The of radio series a the with began that programme, Shubh Kal the designed Alternatives Communication for Development team at Development of mathematics by making the lessons on mathematics interesting for listeners who form listeners for interesting mathematics lessons on the making by mathematics of Community of some case the in children be might -- they population the of range diverse a Radio Stations. women in the case of other Community Radio Stations or illiterate http://cemca.org.in/news/exploratory-meeting-community-radio-stations-programme- http://cemca.org.in/news/exploratory-meeting-community-radio-stations-programme- science-technology-communication-ncstc Schemes for Communication and Popularisation of Science & Technology (n.d.). Technology Schemes for Communication and Popularisation of Science & from Retrieved Technology. Department of Science of scientific-programmes/st-and-socio-economic-development/national-council- End-line Survey Report (2013). One World Foundation India: – Radio JU - 2013. World End-line Survey Report (2013). One Dutta, A. & Mishra, S. (2014). Dutta, to India reference Innovation_CR_MIB_CEMCA.pdf References 8 M&E Report of Radio Vishnu, 90.4 MHZ, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh 90.4 MHZ, Bhimavaram, Vishnu, 8 M&E Report of Radio 7 https://www.facebook.com/pg/krishicr/about/?entry_point=page_nav_about item&ref=page_internal 6 http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/Gender_and_Technology_Communication_Division.htm 4 5

2 M&E Report of Krishi CRS, 90.4 MHZ, Dharwar, Karnataka CRS, 90.4 MHZ, Dharwar, 2 M&E Report of Krishi 3 Development Alternatives is a NGO and the world’s first social enterpriseheadquartered

Notes fear the dispel and mathematics popularise to of programmes series is a 1 ‘Radio Maths’ Communicator 88 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Newsletter, 27 the grassroots:Effectivenessofcommunityradios. Singh, D.R.&,Shaikh,N.(February, 2016). Communicatingclimatechange at discourse onclimatechange. Singh, D.R.(February, 2017).Communityradio: A platformtotuneintothe (2).

Development Alternatives Newsletter, 27

Development Alternatives (2) . Communicator

89 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 According to Mr. K. G. Suresh, Suresh, K. G. Mr. to According of Mass Communication, the Communication, Mass of and Radio Empowerment ‘Community will serve the nodal as Centre’ Resource and the existing assisting for point Radio Stations Community aspiring research, guidance, providing, by building capacity and consultancy to also endeavor services. would It Community about awareness create rural and areas Radio in the remote including stakeholders among and Media NGOs, institutions, educational and finances, advertising and advertising finances, and research resources, human marketing, development methods, ethicsand alsohad The training communication. visits site and practical sessions strong in radio stations the community to Joshi, the local/rural Aashish Sh areas. Lok & Editor-in-Chief, Chief Executive to the certificates away gave TV, Sabha the valedictory at event. participants Institute General, Indian Director training program (29 March-11 (29 March-11 program training radio the community 2017) for April all over from aspirants and practitioners the program, The training thecountry. wide- in-depth covered its kind, of first creation, content as such topics ranging mobilisation, community technology, sustainability licensing, policies and On this occasion, the ‘Community theOn this ‘Community occasion, Radio Empowerment and Resource Resource and Radio Empowerment weeks a two also organised Centre’ various stakeholders on diverse and and diverse on stakeholders various radio. community on issues emerging the Centre and highlighted the highlighted need to and the Centre develop capacity, and knowledge build amongst training impart and archives Ajay Mittal, Chairman, IIMC Executive Executive IIMC Chairman, Mittal, Ajay Ministry of Secretary, and Committee launched Broadcasting and Information research and training platform. Shri platform. training and research professional, practical and research research practical and professional, radio within community activities on knowledge, broader a focussed and (IIMC), New Delhi. The Centre is Delhi. The Centre New (IIMC), to the IIMC, by initiative a unique the diverse develop and integrate Radio Empowerment and Resource Resource and Radio Empowerment the Indian at launched was Centre’ Communication Mass of Institute On 29th March, 2017, ‘Community ‘Community 2017, On 29thMarch, Communicator 90 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017 Community Stations Radio has also of broadcast of advertisements by Community stations, Radio duration To facilitate revenue generation for subject to aceiling of Rs.7.5lakhs. of total the estimated expenditure, states,Eastern grant 90% be shall ceiling of For Rs.7.50lakhs. North- estimated expenditure, subject to a Stations from 50%to 75%of total the of equipment for Community Radio grantincreased the sizefor purchase Stations, has I&BMinistry the to promote Community the Radio country.in the 206 Community Stations Radio exist stations across India. Currently, only was up to set 4000 community radio Stations, intent policy original the benefitsCommunity of Radio communication methodologies. with help the of participatory Community Stationsthese Radio programmes and schemes through of knowledge regarding key welfare Ministriesinfrastructure for transfer is with to developmental partner and ultimateThe Centreobjective the of stations years. since past the several disseminated by community radio diverse materials produced and build an archives on richand the Stations.Radio Centeralso The will with award winning Community Station and secondly to partner class Model Community Radio develop Apna the as aworld Radio of firstly be Centre the to will Educators etc. It may that added be inorder Acknowledging widespread the Some of core the strategies in the country; so that they can be that can so be they country; in the present community radiostations anundertake evaluation study of the Communication also Research will with IIMC’s Department of Stations.Centre The in association up Communityto these scale Radio for an incubation centre emerged with its stakeholders, astrong need minutes hour per of broadcast. increased frombeen 5minutes to 7 nurture with its own expertise. up Centre this in its own Campus and IIMC is strategically well to placed set knowledge capital and infrastructure, change research and existing the in mass communication and social in South Given Delhi. its strengths target audience that includes people Hindi and few hours inEnglish to its hours aday, broadcasting majorly in and broadcasting has been for seven in operation since September, 2005 or community. Apna has been Radio aims to give voice to voiceless person on 96.9MHz that mode) frequency Station, Apna (transmitting Radio homeis also to a Community Radio communication programmes. IIMC generation and behavioral change studiesundertaking on awareness robust research department mainly in 1965.The Institute has a very communications since its inception to developmentyeoman service and Broadcasting, has rendered of Informationunder Ministry the learnt and acquired. experiences future challenges light in the of lessons strengthened to the meet further After exhaustive consultations IIMC, an autonomous body Communicator

91 Vol. LII (1), January–March, 2017

The Editor, Communicator, The Editor, Submissions should be addressed to: Submissions should be addressed Guidelines Guidelines Authors for [email protected] / [email protected] : Email Research papers submitted to the journal are subject to peer Research papers submitted to and Team by Editorial review based on initial screening blind review process. a separate electronic file, and indicate details about the author, contact details about the author, indicate a separate electronic file, and etc. information, institutional affiliation the stylistic guidelines Submissions must conform to American Psychological the of the Publication Manual of Association (6th edition). All tables, figures, appendices and endnotes should be placed after and endnotes All tables, figures, appendices a short biographical note for each author. All submissions must include in 150-200 words should be included An abstract of not more than The text format should be double-spaced, 12-point font size in Times New Times be double-spaced, 12-point font size in The text format should format only; in word document (.doc/docx) submitted Manuscript should be files. we do not accept PDF more than 7000-8000 words. not be The manuscript should • • • references. • • • Roman. • • should include declaration of original work. Copyright of the article and other materials and other article of the work. Copyright of original declaration should include publisher. published in the journal shall lie with the Submissions must be unpublished original manuscripts, not under review elsewhere, and manuscripts, Submissions must be unpublished original For research papers For research and welcomes articles that are primarily based on communications discourse and current that are primarily based on communications and welcomes articles and research case studies, review articles receives articles, media debates. Communicator specifications: papers with following Communicator focuses on a wide range of issues related to media and communication and communication to media range of issues related focuses on a wide Communicator SUBSCRIPTION/RENEWAL FORM

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