Manish Kumar
Post news network
New Delhi: The announcement of Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu Saturday about 75 per cent subsidy for setting up of new community radio stations in the country is likely to act as a catalyst for the growth of community radio in the state.
Community radios (CRs) are the third tier radio broadcasting system in the country besides the public broadcaster (All India Radio) and the private FM channels which came into effect after 2006. These local radio broadcasts are mostly managed by voluntary organisations, private as well as public educational institutions besides Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
“This is a welcome move. Earlier, a subsidy of around 50 per cent was provided for acquiring equipment for such stations which has now been hiked. This will encourage new players foraying into the sector. Unlike commercial FM channels, these CRs could be set up with an investment of around `25,000 only,” said Subrat Kumar Pati, an expert on radio broadcasting from Bhubaneswar.
However, Pati emphasised that there is a need for the government pitching in to train the local CRs on becoming self-sustaining. This can be achieved by training them on ways to tap local markets among others to prevent them from premature deaths as many of the CRs had been shut down due to lack of training and awareness.
If people working with the community radios are to be believed, they claim that this sector is plagued by numerous hurdles like low government rates for advertisements unlike private FM channels, less support from state governments, lesser sponsorship and advertisements, poor awareness level among people and other sustainability issues.
According to the information from the ministry, in Orissa currently eight CRs are functioning while 26 applications for opening FM channels from the state are pending with the ministry for approval. Of these 26 applications, 23 belong to NGOs, and three from educational institutions. The Xavier University and the Centurion University from Bhubaneswar and the Kamgaon Junior College have applied for opening CRs on their campuses.
