22 November 2006
CIVIL SOCIETY GAINS ACCESS TO AIRWAVES
The Indian government has approved a new policy enabling non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to apply for community radio licenses for the first time, reports the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).
Under the policy, which was approved on 16 November 2006, non-profit organisations that have served local communities for at least three years can apply to operate a community radio station.
According to a government press release, a community radio station "should be designed to serve a specific well-defined local community and the programmes for broadcast should be relevant to the educational, developmental, social and cultural needs of the community."
Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunshi, said this meant radio stations run by NGOs could not broadcast news and current affairs programmes.
The move comes 11 years after India's Supreme Court ruled that the airwaves are public property and should be used for public good. Prior to the new policy, only educational institutions were permitted to operate community radio stations.
Visit these links:
- AMARC: http://www.amarc.org/
- OneWorld: http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/142618/1/
- UNDP/UNESCO Report on Community Radio in India:
http://www.undp.org.in/events/CRadio/Bgnd_Nt_Cmmty_Rdio.pdf
- Community Radio Network: http://www.communityradionetwork.org/
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