Context: Minister of Information and Broadcasting released the revised policy on guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations (CRS), during the Regional Community Radio Sammelan (South), marks 20 years of Community Radio in India
About Community Radio Stations (CRS):
- Community Radio is an important third tier in Radio Broadcasting, distinct from Public Service Radio broadcasting and Commercial Radio.
- It is a low power Radio Stations, which are meant to be set-up and operated by local communities.
- It is regulated by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
- In December 2002, the Government approved a policy for the grant of license, for setting up of Community Radio Stations, to well established educational institutions.
- India’s first Community Radio was inaugurated in the year 2004 at the Anna University campus. Currently, there are 481 CRSs in India.
Policy Guidelines for the CRS in India:
- It should be explicitly a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and should have a proven record of at least three years of service to the local community;
- The CRS, to be operated by it, should be designed to serve the local community in its coverage area;
- It must be a Legal Entity i.e. it should be registered under any such act relevant to the purpose;
- Organisations shall be eligible to apply for Community Radio licences: State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Autonomous Bodies, Civil Society Organisations, Voluntary Organisations, Registered Societies, Public Charitable Trusts, not-for-profit organizations set up by Self Help Groups (SHGs) and not-for-profit Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and educational Institutions including IITs/IIMs .
- Not eligible to apply for Community Radio licences: Individuals; political parties and their affiliate organisations; organisations operating with a motive to earn profit; organisations expressly banned by the Union and State Governments; and religious bodies.
- An eligible organisation/ institution that operates in multiple districts shall be allowed to set up a maximum of six (6) CRS in different districts of operation, provided it fulfils certain conditions laid by the Ministry.
- The initial time period for the Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) increased to ten (10) years.
- Advertising time for CRSs is increased from 7 minutes per hour to 12 minutes per hour.
- Rate of Advertisement has been increased from Rs. 52 per 10 sec to Rs. 74 per10 sec for Community Radio Stations.
- At least 50% of content shall be generated with the participation of the local community, out of which at least half of the content should be focussed on women empowerment and the themes should go beyond nutrition, breastfeeding, pregnancy, recipes and beauty.
- Programmes should preferably be in the local language and dialect(s).
- CRS shall be expected to cover a range of 5-10 km.
- Applicants will be eligible to seek funding from multilateral aid agencies. Applicants seeking foreign funds for setting up the CRS will have to obtain FCRA clearance under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 1976.
Significance of CRS:
- The Community Radio provides a platform to communities to air local voices on issues concerning Health, Nutrition, Education, Agriculture etc., that makes CRS an ideal tool for community empowerment.
- Community Radio broadcast is in local languages and dialects, people are able to relate to it instantly, and has the potential to strengthen people’s participation in development programmes.
- It is also a repository of local folk music and cultural heritage. Many CRSs record and preserve local songs for posterity and give local artists a platform to showcase their talent to the community.