GUWAHATI, Feb 26 � The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) is organising a regional consultation on community radio (CR) in Guwahati, in collaboration with One World Foundation India.
Despite being one of the culturally rich regions, the north-eastern region has just two community radio stations, said a press release.
The three-day workshop is being organised on February 27, 28 and March 1 with local partner Radio Luit � a community radio station being run by the Gauhati University. The consultation also coincides with the fourth anniversary of Radio Luit.
The consultation is part of a series of awareness workshops that the Ministry is holding to popularise community radio movement and to encourage potential organisations to apply for licences. These workshops are now being organised in regions from where there are less applications and the potential of the communication media still lies untapped.
Experts, CR enthusiasts, government officials and NGOs will interact with the participants during the next three days to demystify the licensing process and the technology associated with community radio. The operating community radio stations from the region will share their practical experiences.
Community Radio Station Radio Luit will share its experiences on community engagement and their popular radio programmes produced by the community like Mukoli Sora, Bikhyon, Gawe-Bhuyen, etc.
Currently, the country has around 180 community radio stations that are owned by NGOs, educational institutions and KVKs. The MoIB is putting a strong emphasis on creating thousands of CRS across the country so as to strengthen the grassroots communities. The ministry has also set aside a fund of Rs 100 crore for CRS in the 12th Five Year Plan.
