February 14, 2024
2 mins read

Govt revises guidelines for setting up community radio stations

Anurag Thakur said the revised policy will ensure growth of the sector and financial sustainability of Community Radio Stations (CRSs)…reports Asian Lite News

On the occasion of World Radio Day, Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday released the revised policy guidelines for setting up community radio stations in the country.

The roadmap for the revised policy on community radio was unveiled during the regional Community Radio Sammelan (South) at Anna University, commemorating 20 years of Community Radio in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Thakur said the revised policy will ensure growth of the sector and financial sustainability of Community Radio Stations (CRSs)

Highlighting the importance of community radio, the minister said, “Community Radio Stations offer a platform where content is disseminated in localised dialects and regional languages. Local, context specific issues are raised and discussed in these stations in local idioms.

“The Government is committed to its mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’. It is important to realise the importance of community radio in this direction.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ has shown through personal example how important the radio medium is, in both speaking to and listening to the public. Each CRS is a reflection of the local model that has been built over the years and the experiential learnings that have been collected and shared.”

L. Murugan, Minister of State (MoS) for I&B, said, “Community Radio is a pioneering concept and provides a platform to unheard voices from the community. These stations are one of the best ways to reach out intimately and directly to the people as these stations create locally relevant programmes useful to the community. There cannot be a better way of reaching out to the community than through the relatively inexpensive medium of community radio stations.”

The two-day long Radio Sammelan for Southern Community Radio Stations (CRS) also marked completion of 20 years of Community Radio in India. The Sammelan gave an opportunity for capacity building to the CRSs.

For the uninitiated, the Community Radio Stations are low-power radio stations, meant to be operated by local communities. India’s first Community Radio was inaugurated in 2004 on the Anna University campus.

Presently, there are a total of 481 CRSs in the country. In the last two years, more than 133 CRSs have become operational.

ALSO READ: Diaspora: A significant link between India and Gulf

Previous Story

‘Stop making white people feel guilty about being white’

Next Story

Priti Patel joins Modi event in Abu Dhabi

Latest from India News

Jaishankar Gets Real on India-US Ties

The EAM underlined the structural drivers of the bilateral relationship, saying, “The trend line over the last 25 years has actually been very strong….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar

Jaishankar Shoots Down Trump’s Ceasefire Claim

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has rejected former US President Donald Trump’s claim of using trade pressure to broker an India-Pakistan ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, drawing on

India, Namibia to Boost Ties During Modi Visit

This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Namibia, and the third-ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Namibia….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to

Quantum Leap Secures India’s Edge

The Minister said India has entered a new quantum era, set to transform future warfare….reports Asian Lite News India has taken a major leap in defence and cyber security by successfully demonstrating
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Disney to invest $1.5 bn in Epic Games

This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of

India boots China out of 3 Lankan energy projects

The projects, initially awarded to China were cancelled and an