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Tag: CRS

  • I&B ministry announces 8th National Community Radio Awards

    I&B ministry announces 8th National Community Radio Awards

    MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting has invited entries for the 8th National Community Radio Awards to encourage innovation and healthy competition amongst Community Radio Stations (CRSs). The ministry had instituted National Community Radio Awards in the year 2012 which were conferred to CRS every year. So far, seven Awards have been given.

    The 8th Community Radio Awards for the year 2020-21 announced by the I&B ministry will be divided into four categories: thematic award, most innovative community engagement award, promoting local culture award, and sustainability model award. Each category will have first, second and third prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. The last date for receipt of entries is 31 October 2020.

    More details here.

    Details of Award Category

    A: Thematic Award: This award will be for the programmes having thematic focus, relevant to community. This implies that the program should be a series of at least 13 episodes on a particular theme that has relevance to the community. It could be sponsored or an initiative of the station. It should be addressing any issue pertaining to the need or interest of the community. It can focus on any sector- social, cultural, historical, financial or any other. The entries will have to clearly elucidate:

    a) Number of episodes produced

    b) Why the theme was chosen?

    c) How was the programme executed?

     d) Was the community involved?

     e) Details of the format used

    f) What was the local relevance of the programme in terms of impact and visible change?

     g) How was it sustained?

    h) Way forward

    Any case study or report on the program would help.

    B: Most Innovative Community Engagement Award: The basic objective of the community radio is to serve the cause of the community by involving members of the community in the broadcast of their programmes. By adopting new formats of programme, inclusion of traditional communication formats to convey development concerns to the community can bring greater impact. The program should be novel, original and innovative. It should have an element of community participation and relevance to community. Entries for this award must reflect engagement of community in the planning, content, production and broadcast of the programme. The entry should reflect the processes involved in bringing the community together for a broader engagement. The community should have been at the centre of this engagement process. The program should have enabled a collective change and helped create a movement within the community. It should have created a momentum to address any local concern. Entries accompanied with a list of outcomes achieved and solutions provided to community needs will be given preference. The entries should clearly explain following:

    a. Define the community it was targeted at

    b. How many episodes were produced?

    c. How was the engagement sustained?

    d. What innovative methods were adapted to make a programme?

    e. What was the level of participation of the community?

    f. How many people did the programme reach out to? What were the outreach activities undertaken?

     g. Documentation, if any

    h. Did it run in a campaign mode? Was it a onetime effort?

    i. How did you link the programming with the community?

     j. Impact on the community- how did you measure the same?

    C) Promoting Local Culture Award: (Preservation and promotion) Entries must incorporate local talent and tradition. Entries can be in any language but must be accompanied by a description of what efforts were made to promote local culture and a brief summary be provided in English/Hindi. The entry in this category should reflect the program's effort in improving local well-being. The program should have provided a sense of identity to the community. It could be based on common understanding, local traditions, and values and should have influenced the confidence of the local community. The effort of the program should have encouraged preservation and promotion of culture. For example, it could have revived a dying art, preserved a local monument, helped in architectural preservation of old buildings and Havelis, or use of local culture to mobilise the population, revival of traditional handicraft or culture-based entertainment etc. The program could be on cuisine, folk music, festivals or other cultural activities which have a sustained impact on the community. The entry should address following points:

    a. What was the focus of the programme?

    b. Why was it important?

    c. How did the programme help in reviving/ promoting the local culture?

    d. How many episodes did you produce?

     e. How was it sustained? How has the revival/preservation been visible?

     f. What was the impact or consequence of the programme?

    g. What was the format?

    h. Who will take responsibility in the community for taking the same forward?

    D: Sustainability Model Award: The purpose of this award is to encourage CRS to adopt innovative models to generate revenue for self-sustenance. Sustainability means that the station should have sustainability on four different counts: a. content b: human resources c: technical and d: financial. Audio clips need not to be submitted for this category, but documentary proofs will be required such as audited balance sheets of the organization/CRS etc. Sustainability will be measured on various parameters as given below:

    a)      Content sustainability- new programmes introduced

    b) Hours of broadcast and how does it compare to the previous year?

     c) How much is fresh broadcast and how much is repeat broadcast?

    d) Training and exposure of the team- has the team (community members) travelled or participated in any workshops/conferences?

    e) What is the Staff composition?

    f) Status of equipment sustainability/any breakdown etc

    g) What has been the engagement of the community?

     h) List of projects implemented

    i) Financial sustainability- sources and resources

    j) Total turnover

    k) Media coverage

    Any other documents- if relevant

    Community Radio is the third-tier broadcasting along with public and private radio broadcasting. At present, there are a total 302 Community Radio Stations (CRS) in the country. These CRS stations are playing a very important role in disseminating information especially in those areas where other media presence is limited.

  • Govt committed to self-regulation on issues of freedom of press: Rathore

    NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore today said the Government believes in the philosophy of Self Regulation regarding to the issues related to freedom of Press.

    The Minister was speaking with a UNESCO delegation led by its Assistant Director General for Communication & Information today in New Delhi Frank La Rue.

    The delegation apprised the Minister about the varied activities of UNESCO in the field of Media and Communication. Possible areas of collaboration with the Government were also highlighted by the delegation.

    The Minister said Community Radio will address the information needs at the grassroot level, providing updates on different local and relevant issues in their own language and dialect.

    He said the Government stood committed in its objective to provide the last mile connectivity through various communication platforms including Community Radio which has been provided a big push through various initiatives.

    He said the Ministry has increased the subsidy for setting up CRS from 50 per cent to 90 per cent in the North Eastern States and 75 per cent in other states subject to a maximum limit of Rs 7,50,000. In order to make it more participatory, varied set of participants including Universities and NGOs have been permitted to set up CR stations in the country.

  • News disallowed but advt terms relaxed for community radio

    News disallowed but advt terms relaxed for community radio

    NEW DELHI: While holding that the grant of permission agreement will be extended for five years at a time for community radio stations, the government has said that the application will have to be submitted in the fourth year.

    In relaxation of its Guidelines of 2006 to promote the growth in the sector, it was stated that the first extension shall be granted on the basis of an application and verification of adherence to the terms and conditions of the permission.

    For second extension beyond 10 years, the continuous operation of CRS by the permission holder for 10 years will be treated as ground for extension. CRS should submit their application for extension of permission a year before end of the permission period.

    Considering that there are less than 150 operational CRS even after more than a decade of launch of the scheme, the changes announced along with the funding scheme announced earlier this month would help the growth of this sector.

    News and current affairs and programmes of current affairs which are political in nature will not be permitted. However, CRS can broadcast news and current affairs contents sourced exclusively from All-India Radio in its original form or translated into the local language/dialect. AIR shall source its news to CRS without any charge. It will be the responsibility of the CRS permission holder to ensure that the news is not distorted or edited during translation.

    Another important relaxation is in terms of permitting additional categories that can come under non-news and current affairs broadcast.

    These are:

    (a) Information pertaining to sporting events excluding live coverage. However live commentaries of sporting events of local nature may be permissible;

    (b) Information pertaining to traffic and weather;

    (c) Information pertaining to and coverage of local cultural events, festivals;

    (d) Coverage of topics pertaining to examinations, results, admissions, career counseling;

    (e) Availability of employment opportunities;

    (f) Public announcements pertaining to civic amenities like electricity, water supply, natural calamities, health alerts etc. as provided by the local administration;

    (g) Such other categories not permitted at present that may subsequently be specifically permitted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from time to time.

    The additions also say that transmission of sponsored programmes shall not be permitted except programmes sponsored by Central and state governments and other organisations to broadcast public interest information.

    Limited advertising and announcements up to a maximum of seven minutes per hour relating to local events, local businesses and services and employment opportunities will be allowed.

    (In a related development, the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity deleted the empanelment condition that “Community Radio Stations will undertake in writing that DAVP approved rates accepted by them are their lowest rates and exclusive to DAVP and cannot be offered to any other agency”.)

    The additions in the Guidelines further said: “In disaster situations, the District Magistrate’s permission shall be sufficient to relocate CRS. However, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should be informed of the change of place by both the CRS and District Magistrate.

  • News disallowed but advt terms relaxed for community radio

    News disallowed but advt terms relaxed for community radio

    NEW DELHI: While holding that the grant of permission agreement will be extended for five years at a time for community radio stations, the government has said that the application will have to be submitted in the fourth year.

    In relaxation of its Guidelines of 2006 to promote the growth in the sector, it was stated that the first extension shall be granted on the basis of an application and verification of adherence to the terms and conditions of the permission.

    For second extension beyond 10 years, the continuous operation of CRS by the permission holder for 10 years will be treated as ground for extension. CRS should submit their application for extension of permission a year before end of the permission period.

    Considering that there are less than 150 operational CRS even after more than a decade of launch of the scheme, the changes announced along with the funding scheme announced earlier this month would help the growth of this sector.

    News and current affairs and programmes of current affairs which are political in nature will not be permitted. However, CRS can broadcast news and current affairs contents sourced exclusively from All-India Radio in its original form or translated into the local language/dialect. AIR shall source its news to CRS without any charge. It will be the responsibility of the CRS permission holder to ensure that the news is not distorted or edited during translation.

    Another important relaxation is in terms of permitting additional categories that can come under non-news and current affairs broadcast.

    These are:

    (a) Information pertaining to sporting events excluding live coverage. However live commentaries of sporting events of local nature may be permissible;

    (b) Information pertaining to traffic and weather;

    (c) Information pertaining to and coverage of local cultural events, festivals;

    (d) Coverage of topics pertaining to examinations, results, admissions, career counseling;

    (e) Availability of employment opportunities;

    (f) Public announcements pertaining to civic amenities like electricity, water supply, natural calamities, health alerts etc. as provided by the local administration;

    (g) Such other categories not permitted at present that may subsequently be specifically permitted by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from time to time.

    The additions also say that transmission of sponsored programmes shall not be permitted except programmes sponsored by Central and state governments and other organisations to broadcast public interest information.

    Limited advertising and announcements up to a maximum of seven minutes per hour relating to local events, local businesses and services and employment opportunities will be allowed.

    (In a related development, the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity deleted the empanelment condition that “Community Radio Stations will undertake in writing that DAVP approved rates accepted by them are their lowest rates and exclusive to DAVP and cannot be offered to any other agency”.)

    The additions in the Guidelines further said: “In disaster situations, the District Magistrate’s permission shall be sufficient to relocate CRS. However, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should be informed of the change of place by both the CRS and District Magistrate.

  • Govt. mulling four-fold increase in ad rates for CRS

    Govt. mulling four-fold increase in ad rates for CRS

    NEW DELHI: The Government is considering raising advertisement rates of the Department of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) from Re 1 per second to Rs 4 per second for community radio stations (CRS). The CRS stations had demanded a rate of Rs 7 per second.

    The government is also learnt to be working on a dedicated fund for development of CRS with a Rs 1.70 billion corpus to provide seed money to community radio stations during the 12th Plan period. Another proposal being worked out is using funds from the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

    The Government wants the CRS to devote a large part of their programming to making the people aware of the flagship programmes, and ensure participatory communication.

    The Centre is prepared to give help to the CRS to achieve this, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said in an interview over All India Radio.

    Soni said the total number of CRS that stood at around 30 two years back had gone up to 135. And 240 more CRS are in the pipeline for clearances from various departments, she added.

    The Minister said radio was the best way to reach out to the target group of people enabling them to avail the benefits of the massive development schemes being implemented by the government.

    Soni emphasised that all efforts should be made for knowledge about the massive Government development programmes benefiting the rural people, the farmers and the poor and under privileged should percolate to the grass root level.

    The minister said suggestions from the Open House forum of a three-day workshop being held in New Delhi on Community Radio led by I&B Joint Secretary Supriya Sahu will be utilised to fine tune radio communication to meet the requirements of the local people.

  • Community Radio – waiting to take off

    Community Radio – waiting to take off

    Community radio is the latest addition the FM radio bandwagon in the country. With the great radio story just beginning to happen this year, it’s not surprising to find these avenues opening up. But community radio is a non profit, non commercial version of the FM radio sector.

    With government policies becoming open and procedures getting simplified, Community Radio (CR) is getting pretty popular; not in terms of the number of radio stations opened, but in terms of the interest it has generated among people. The more interested parties of course, are the universities and educational institutes as they have been getting licenses at short notice. Anna University’s FM venture, Anna FM in chennai was the first of its kind of CRS to start, but not many have been able to replicate its success story.

    2007, however, was a very eventful year in terms of the licenses granted. The likes of Mumbai univeristy, Delhi univeristy and others have been the leading institutions to procure these CRS licenses. Delhi university CRS has already gone on air in 2007 and Mumbai university’s own radio station should go live in early 2008.

    But the basic objective of CRS should be understood. With the advent of private FM radio channels, entertainment and radio have become synonymous with films and youth. But CRS can be a very interesting change or option in terms of FM broadcasting. If private radio is all about fun and entertainment, CRs can offer some infotainment via fun programmes tackling various acadmeic and social topics.

    Sounds vague, but if the CRS can be a professional radio run by amateurs, then the basic target is achieved. That’s precisely what the CRS holders need to do in 2008.

    Technology too is becoming cheaper and easily available. So, someone can easily start a CRS for as low as Rs 10 lakh. This can include some very good equipment which will help the operators to package the CRS programming in a very FM and private radio-like fashion. This is the need of the hour and can be surely achieved.

    Also, it becomes a very healthy and attractive sector for service providers as you need many players, if the number of CRS in country has to reach 500 in the coming years. A very good volume business oppurtunity indeed.

    Even the UN has made plans to assist the building of various CRs across the country as a part of its Millenium Development goals.
    As for CR, like every coin, it has two sides to the story.

    On the flip side, people have not yet understood the basic idea of starting a CRS. It does not imply just running a station for the sake of it, neither does it mean being revolutionary with your own radio. It’s also not about being a drag, serious type of radio.

    A CRS can be a very important link for youngsters and amateurs alike. If the hobbyist can provide good topics, amateurs can train themselves for a good radio career while working at a CRS. You need to have infotainment programmes to attract people. With the government allowing a 100W transmitter, you can easily cover an area of about 40 odd km, a pretty big area to operate in. Also, with the government allowing five minutes per hour as commercial time, the main headache of sustaining a CRS disappears. If your CRS can be innovative and intelligent, a private radio player in your area might also be interested in helping you generate revenue on a sharing basis. I see no harm in this.

    Another problem is, some people think of CRS as a completely non profit idea which should not earn money. But, I guess you need money to at least survive and there is nothing as a free dinner in life any more.

    If we are reading this article, it’s to get something in return, right !
    We should all look at the CRS as a great oppurtunity to learn new tricks in radio, train yourself to be a future radio broadcaster and make FM radio a useful medium for all in all ways.

    2007 was really a mind opener for the CRS sector, and I sincerely hope that 2008 will soon set up decent examples of innovative and infotainment led CRS in the country.