Re: [nukkad] Lobbying for community radio

[Harshal Chhaya <>]

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vkvenugopal@Alfaisaliah.com wrote:
> Radio waves are powerful means of instant communication.  Just as CR can be
> a tool for empowerment of the rural folk, it can also be a tool for
> deepening the fissures in society and in the Indian scenario, that is more
> likely to happen.

This logic (excuse?) is being used by the Central Govt. to limit
the access to radio. I don't buy it. CR is currently being used
in societies similar to ours. The potential for abuse exists in
all places. However, the social benefits of the technology have 
been proven. There is no reason to continue using the 'it can be
used for evil' reason.




> Since our society is fractured on religious and caste lines, one immediate
> effect of opening up CR will be "Caste Radio".  

Anyone can print a newspaper. How many 'caste newspapers' are available?



> NGOs engaged in good work
> will be slow to take advantage of community radio for want of adequate
> resources but dominant caste and religious groups are very likely to exploit
> the facility to consolidate and entrench. 


This is likely if the govt just hands out access. I am not advocating a 
free for all but rather an loosening of the current rules. The govt
can screen the applicants and/or monitor their usage. If they break
the rules, just yank the license.

Plus a number of NGOs are willing and able to create socially
beneficial programs. 

As for dominant groups monopolising radio, it has already happened
in the case of FM stations. Large media companies (TimesFM, Midday etc.)
have the licenses for these stations in the major cities. You can
get more dominant that this.



> Before unleashing such a powerful tool, the society must be mature to use
> it. Given the fissures in our society, I am not sure that we should be in a

Who decides when the society is mature? Who says that the babu in 
Delhi making the decision is any more mature than the uneducated
laborer in the field in Punjab? "People can't handle the knowledge"
is a very convenient way for the people in power to hold on to the
power. This excuse has been used since the dawn of time to keep the
masses ignorant and concentrate power in the hands of the few.



> hurry to implement CR.  There several other things a sincere NGO can lobby
> for. Why not lobby, for example, for compulsory basic education for all
> children under 15?  That should be a much more effective tool for
> empowerment of the rural folk. 


Direct action is much more useful than lobbying. Broadcasting educational
programs is more effective than asking a minister to commit to something
that is very difficult to achieve. 


> I don't mean to say that both are mutually exclusive. CR may, in fact, be
> quite helpful in education and creating social awareness, if handled
> prudently. Since our ability at self-regulation is doubtful, I think CR can
> wait while we try lobbying for old-fashioned basic education. 

Why do you doubt the capability of the aam junta? Are they no better
than sheep who need to be led by their noses? I think the govt. needs
to trust the people to do the right thing. 

Various social organizations have shown that they can do a good job (see 
the original email for a description of the work done by VOICES, the Deccan 
Development Society and the Kutch Mahila Vikas Sanghatan) and that 
the people want this kind of information and programmes. It is high
time that these efforts gained momentum.

The govt. has a choice. They can help in fostering social change
or they can let this promising but nascent movement wither. I
hope they make the right choice.

- 'shal

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