-------- Original Message --------
Subject:     [cr-india] I4D magazine issue on community radio
Date:     Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:20:48 +0530
From:     sajan venniyoor <[log in to unmask]>
To:     CR India <[log in to unmask]>


The latest issue of I4D magazine is on Community Radio - Empowering the 
Community at http://i4donline.net/October08/content.asp

The issue contains reviews of two campus radio stations, interviews with 
senior officials of CEMCA /COL (the Oct '08 issue was published with 
logistical and content support from CEMCA), articles on the CR movement 
in Bangladesh and Pakistan, a report on AIR's role in the Bihar floods  
and an excellent piece by Danny Geeverghese of Panos on "the 
incongruities and difficulties" inherent in India's CR licensing regime.

Of the Community Radio Forum's somewhat ill-fated attempt to set up 
three Emergency Radio Stations in Bihar, Danny writes: "Recently the 
Community Radio Forum (CRF) attempted to set up 'emergency radio 
stations' in Supaul, Araria and Saharsa – three flood affected districts 
in Bihar. There was tremendous support from bureaucrats, politicians and 
academicians for what would have been a first for Indian broadcasting. 
The initial bonhomie quickly faded and acquired colours of the walls of 
Shastri Bhawan which houses the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 
in Delhi – a dull grey.

The modus operandi and primary purpose was to set up and run the three 
stations temporarily to help reunite families separated by the floods, 
assist in aid distribution and help with the dissemination of 
evacuation/rehabilitation plans. After three months, the stations would 
have been dismantled. This was not to be. The government file has 
disappeared, blending into the grey of the walls of Shastri Bhawan.

The question is not about policy as it is about reaching out to those 
who are suffering. When over three million people are affected by the 
breach of the Kosi River, a solution may come in the form of radio, food 
or emergency supplies. Recognising this and rising to the occasion is 
what one would expect from a Central Government that announced aid to 
the tune of  INR 10 billion instead of throwing rule after rule from the 
book.

Should programme makers and community broadcasters not have gone ahead 
with the initiative?"

Sajan