07-01-2008 (New Delhi)
“Community Radio: A user’s
guide to the technology” is a guide to technical parameters of
community radio in India. Produced for potential community radio
operators, this technical manual takes into account the intention of
the Government of India to establish 4000 community radio stations by
2008.
The publication aims to accompany interested
organizations in the demystification of each piece of equipment usually
found in community radio stations, its role and function within a wider
social context, advantages and disadvantages of its usage. For others,
who dare to be technically more adventurous, detailed notes on
equipment are also provided.
The guide in PDF format can be donwloaded here.
In November 2006, the Government of
India announced a new Community Radio Policy, which permits NGOs and
other civil society organizations to own and operate community radio
stations. This new policy has brought a flood of questions from
prospective community radio applicants/operators and in particular:
what equipment do you need to set up a community radio and how much
would it cost? While there are many solutions that are available off
the shelf, the main line of advice that this manual provides is “costs
depend on the context of the community radio station you are trying to
build”. Further, the manual recommends
beginning small and growing inch by inch with your community.
The
publication offers the information on the different options open to
community development specialists in sourcing, maintenance and
operation of the equipment that is most suited to their individual
needs. It has been designed keeping in mind the knowledge levels of the
end user and is packed with illustrations, photographs, cross
references and a list of organizations who can further assist in
technical and social aspects of community radio.
It is through
localisation not only of content, but also of technology that the
community radio movement in India can be accelerated making, therefore,
the intentions of the Government a live reality.
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