ITANAGAR, Jan 20 - A three-day community radio awareness workshop organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, got under way here on Monday.
MIB Additional Director GS Kesarwani apprised the participants, who have come from across the state, on the application process, policy guidelines and regulations for obtaining community radio licences.
Through the workshop, �Seeking Modern Applications for Real Transformation� (SMART), the Ministry is trying to create awareness on community radio � a low-cost, high-reach platform for the development of marginalised and vulnerable communities.
The purpose of the workshop is to sensitise the participants about the concept of community radio, its application process, operation including technology and content and its unique aspects like, community ownership.
�This workshop on community radio has been organised by the I&B Ministry to make all the communities of Arunachal Pradesh aware on how they can set up a community radio station. Community radio is different from the national radio and private radio stations as it is run by the community, for the community and for the benefit of the community,� Kesarwani said.
He said that during the workshop, the participants comprising NGO representatives, scientists from various Krishi Vigyan Kendras and others will be briefed on how they can apply for community radio, the process of application and its technicalities.
Director of the Regional Outreach Bureau, Itanagar, Dr Keshav Murthy, and Archana Kapoor from SMART briefed the participants on the importance of community radio stations.
�Community radio is an important medium to reach the far-flung areas. The Government of India is committed to hand-hold and support community radio stations to be established across the State,� Murthy said.
