CR - THE JOURNEY SO FAR...

http://www.communityradioindia.org/cr%20policy/crradiotimeline.html

THE JOURNEY SO FAR... by Sajan Venniyoor Supreme court judgment on airwaves, 9 Feb 1995 The Supreme Court delivered this historic judgment in Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Vs Cricket Association of Bengal, which involved the rights of a cricket association to give telecast rights to an agency of its choice. The Court ruled that, "Airwaves constitute public property and must be utilised for advancing public good." Bangalore declaration, September 1996 Policy planners, media professionals and CSOs gather in Bangalore in September 1996 to study how community radio could be relevant in India. A `Bangalore Declaration' is signed, which formed the basis of advocacy for community radio since then. Commercial FM licensing phase-1, May 2000 108 FM frequencies were licensed in 40 cities. Only 21 commercial FM stations are currently on air, in 12 cities. Pastapur declaration / initiative, July 17-20, 2000 A UNESCO sponsored workshop from July 17-20, 2000 in Hyderabad and Pastapur (Andhra Pradesh) brings out the `Pastapur Initiative on Community Radio', urging the government to create a three-tier structure of broadcasting in India - state-owned public radio, private commercial radio and a non-profit community radio. Deccan Development Society (DDS), machnoor village Zaheerabad, Medak dist. (Andhra pradesh) applies for radio license, August19, 2000 Panchgani, December 2000 Media workshop where a range of issues pertaining to community radio are debated. MYRADA applies for `Namma Dhwani' community radio license to be set up at budhikote, karnataka, June 2001 First private commercial FM station (Radio City) goes on air, Bangalore, July 3, 2001 Consultations by IGNOU, New Delhi, August 8-9, 2001 While the consultation focused on the idea of Gyan Vani, it reiterated the importance of community radio and mooted that up to 40 per cent of broadcast time could be reserved for community programming. It also articulated the need for a cooperative model. DDS application for community radio license turned down, January 11, 2002 Internet conference on community radio, Nov 30, 2001 to Feb 10, 2002 Media-watch website, The Hoot, holds a conference - Internet Conference on Community Radio in India. (Edited proceedings are available on the website) India's first village fm broadcast, Oravakal (Andhra Pradesh), March 2002 Campus/community radio, December 2002 Ministry of Information & Broadcasting releases `Community Radio Guidelines' in December 2002, which restricts community radio licenses to `well-established' educational institutions. News and current affairs programmes and advertisements are banned. Transmitter power up to 50 watts is permitted, with an antenna height of 30 metres. 60 applications have been received so far, but only one Campus Radio station has received a license. (Anna University 90.4 FM started broadcasting on 1 Feb 2004). (www.mib.nic.in) Radio broadcast policy committee (Amit Mitra committee), 24 July 2003 An Expert Committee (headed by Dr. Amit Mitra, Secy. Gen., FICCI) is set up to make recommendations for Phase-II of private FM licensing. Seventy new cities are identified for commercial FM licensing in Phase-II. Amit Mitra (Radio Broadcast Policy) committee report, November 2003 Recommends `revenue share' model, recommends news & current affairs on commercial FM. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) becomes broadcast regulator, 9 Jan 2004 Amit Mitra committee recommendations sent to TRAI, 12 Feb, 2004 Manipal colloquium on `rediscovering radio,' March 16 - 18, 2004 Many of the recommendations made at Manipal form the basis for subsequent Community Radio discussions, and a `consensus document' is circulated during the I&B Ministry's workshop on an enabling framework for CR in May 2004, New Delhi. TRAI consultation paper on 2nd phase of FM licensing - April 14 2004 Workshop on `designing an enabling framework for community radio' organised by ministry of information & broadcasting, New Delhi, 5 & 6 May 2004 Jointly organized by the I&B Ministry, UNDP and UNESCO, the workshop brings together over 70 stake-holders, experts, donor agencies, media-persons and broadcasters to give their recommendations on Community Radio in India. A draft Community Radio Policy is drawn up by the ministry, based on the recommendations of the Workshop. The draft Policy is still `under consideration'. TRAI open house discussions on FM-II licensing, 7th, 11th, 15th May 2004 Community Radio groups take part and demand their right to be heard. TRAI promises a separate consultation for Community Radio. TRAI recommendations of FM-II licensing, 11 August 2004 TRAI consultation paper on community radio, August 25, 2004 TRAI open house discussions on community radio - 18 & 20 October 2004 Parliamentary consultative committee meeting on community radio - 23 Nov 2004 TRAI recommendations on CR - 9 Dec 2004 TRAI recommends liberal eligibility criteria, with the possibility of any legal entity, (including individuals and religious groups) being allowed to apply for a community radio license. News & Current Affairs to be permitted on community radio. 5 minutes of advertisements to be permitted per hour of broadcast. (www.trai.gov.in). 10th anniversary of Supreme Court judgment on airwaves - 9 Feb 2005 CABINET NOTE ON COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL – 6 OCT 2005 CABINET REFERS COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY TO GROUP OF MINISTERS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS – 6 OCT 2005 GROUP OF MINISTERS APPROVES COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY – 20 SEPT 2006 The GoM approved the draft CR Policy after including State Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutions / Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the list of eligible applicants. CABINET APPROVES COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY – 16 NOVEMBER 2006 The new CR Policy opens up community radio to 'non-profit' organizations like civil society and voluntary groups, registered societies, Autonomous Bodies and Public Trusts registered under Societies Act etc. News is not permitted on CR, but advertising is allowed. http://mib.nic.in/CRS/CRSmainpg.htm NEW COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY PUBLISHED – 4 DECEMBER 2006 COMMUNITY RADIO FORUM ANNOUNCED – 31 JANUARY & 1 FEBRUARY 2007 The Community Radio Forum is the representative body of community radio broadcasters in India. NATIONAL CONSULTATION FOR CR OPERATORS, 6 & 7 MARCH 2007 REGIONAL WORKSHOPS ON CR IN PASTAPUR, BANGALORE, CHENNAI, SHILLONG, AHMEDABAD, DHARAMSALA, DEHRADUN, JHARKHAND, DAHANU, LUCKNOW etc - 2007 2ND ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMMUNITY RADIO FORUM, BANGALORE – 2 FEB 2008 COMMUNITY RADIO FORUM, INDIA REGISTERED ON 26 FEBRUARY 2008. The Community Radio Forum, India (CRF) is registered as the representative body of community radio groups in India under Societies Act, Registration No: Guj/13459/Ahmedabad and under Public Charitable Trust Act, Registration No: F/13320/Ahmedabad FIRST CR WIRELESS OPERATING LICENSE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION – 26 JUNE 2008 Mann Vikas Samajik Sansthan (MVSS), founded by Chetna Gala Sinha, becomes first civil society applicant to get a Wireless Operating License for running a CR Station, in Satara (Maharashtra). Their application was sent for clearance on 9.5.2007 and their LoI was issued on 8.11.07. MVSS signed a Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) with I&B Ministry on 20.6.2008. FIRST COMMUNITY RADIO STATION IN INDIA STARTS BROADCASTING. SANGHAM RADIO LAUNCHED IN PASTAPUR, ANDHRA PRADESH ON 15 OCTOBER 2008. Sangham Radio 90.4 MHz was inaugurated at 11am on 15 October 2008, (International Day of Rural Women) by Justice PB Sawant, who had delivered the historic Supreme Court 'Airwaves judgment' on 9 Feb 1995. The Wireless Operating License was issued to Deccan Development Society on 8 October 2008. Sangham Radio is run by 'General' Narsamma and Algole Narsamma with the help of 12 rural reporters. The station broadcasts for about one and a half hours in the morning (7am onwards), with a repeat in the evening. The station is located in the DDS 'Green School' campus in Pastapur village, Zaheerabad Mandal, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh, some 105 kilometres from Hyderabad. RADIO BUNDELKHAND 90.4 OF SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES (DA) LAUNCHED IN ORCHHA, MADHYA PRADESH – 23 OCTOBER 2008. DA, a Delhi based NGO, received its Wireless Operating License on 31 July 2008, began test transmissions on 15 August and launched its station on 23 October. The CR station is located in the NGO's Taragram campus, Orchha, Bundelkhand (Tikamgarh District, Madhyapradesh), some 12 kilometres from Jhansi. The station was inaugurated by a community worker, Prabha Delhi on 23 October 2008 at 11.35am. The station broadcasts on 90.4 MHz, from 10am to 12 noon, with a repeat from 4pm to 6pm. 'NAMMA DHWANI', BUDIKOTE VILLAGE, KOLAR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA RECEIVES WIRELESS OPERATING LICENSE (WOL) – 16 DECEMBER 2008. MYRADA receives WOL on 16 December 2008 for its community radio station, "Namma Dhwani", in Budikote Village, Kolar District, Karnataka. Namma Dhwani has a long history of cable radio, loudspeaker narrowcast and school radio. Since 2003-4, Namma Dhwani has made 90 minutes of programmes on a daily basis, and has an extensive database of programmes. MVSS COMMUNITY RADIO LAUNCHED IN MHASWAD (SATARA), MAHARASHTRA – 26 JANUARY 2009. Regular transmission from the Mannvikas Samajik Sanstha Community Radio station began from 26 January 2009. Experimental transmission from its Community Radio Station at Mhaswad, Distt Satara, Maharashtra operating at 90.4 MHz FM started with effect from 16.12.2008. "Mannvikas Samajik Sanstha, Mhaswad, Distt Satara, Maharashtra was established in 1994 to improve the lives of rural women and their families by the participation of the local community in the construction of roads, water tanks, housing structures and educational facilities. It also carries out literacy campaigns, anti-dowry, anti-liquor, family planning and conservation of the environment campaigns." DHAN FOUNDATION SIGNS GOPA FOR 'KALANJIAM COMMUNITY RADIO', NAGAPATTINAM, TAMIL NADU – 5 FEBRUARY 2009. DHAN Foundation, Madurai, signs Grant Of Permission Agreement (GOPA) to establish, maintain and operate a Community Radio Station at Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu. The Community Radio Station is expected to be operational within three months as per the agreement. DHAN Foundation, Madurai is a Non Governmental Organization. The Kalanjiam Community Radio Station will be established at Village-Vizhunthamavadi, Block-Keelaiyur, Distt-Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu. COMMUNITY RADIO FORUM HOLDS 3RD ANNUAL MEETING IN ORCHHA, MADHYA PRADESH – 13-14 FEBRUARY 2009 Community Radio Forum of India, the association CR broadcasters and enthusiasts, held its 3rd annual meeting in TARAgraam, the campus of Development Alternatives in Orccha, Madhya Pradesh, on 13 & 14 February. In the meeting of the core members of the Forum on 13 Feb, it was confirmed that Drshti (Ahmedabad) would no longer continue as the Forum Secretariat, and that the Secretariat would be shifted to Delhi. A membership drive was conducted at the Forum meeting, and about 25 of the participants applied for CRF membership. INDIAN SOCIETY FOR AGRIBUSINESS PROFESSIONALS (ISAP) SIGNS GOPA –25 FEBRUARY 2009. Indian Society for Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP), a Delhi-based Section 25 company signs Grant of Permission Agreement on 25th February 2009 for setting up a CRS at Sironj Tehsil, Vidisha District, Madhya Pradesh. ISAP is a professional, "not for profit" organisation with a wide network of agriculture & allied sector professionals in India and the SAARC countries. It has 15,000 members, including 1500 Agri-Experts, about 1700 Disseminators, 900 Partner NGOs, more than 1000 Researchers, and a large number of Agriculture Journalists amongst others. SMART, NEW DELHI, SIGNS GOPA FOR CR STATION AT NUH, MEWAT, HARYANA – 19 MARCH 2009. Seeking Modern Application for Real Transformation (SMART), New Delhi is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) engaged in the processes development of communities through Information and Communication Technologies as a development tool. SMART believes in promoting community radio as a catalyst in the development of rural and under privileged urban communities particularly women. SOCIAL WORKS AND RESEARCH CENTRE, (BAREFOOT COLLEGE) TILONIA, (AJMER) RAJASTHAN SIGNS GOPA – 19 MAY 2009. Tilonia is a tiny village of about 2000 inhabitants situated 400 miles south-west of New-Delhi. It is best known for the success of its grassroots empowerment movement spearheaded by the Social Works and Research Centre (popularly known as The Barefoot College). Tilonia's CRS GOPA is the 45th in the country. The programmes broadcast from this station will focus on issues concerning health, education, employment generation, rainwater harvesting, environmental matters and agriculture programmes for the rural community. WAYANAD SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY, MANANTHVADY, WAYANAD, KERALA SIGNS GOPA – 8 JUNE 2009. Wayanad Social Service Society, Mananthvady, Wayanad, Kerala signs GOPA for its CR service in Mananthvady, named 'Community Radio Mattoli'. Wayanad Social Service Society was established in 1974, to establish and maintain Social Welfare Centre, Social Training Centres, Technical Schools, Social Institutes, Dispensaries, Hospitals, Clubs, Recreational centers, Reading Rooms, to give practical and technical Knowledge to the people and to conduct cooperative societies, Marketing organizations, Housing Projects, Plantation, Animal Husbandry, Agricultural Development and training projects, and other activities conducive to the realization of the objectives. DATAMATION FOUNDATION CHARITABLE TRUST RECEIVES LETTER OF INTENT – 24 AUGUST 2009. Datamation Foundation is the first NGO to receive an LoI for a CR station in New Delhi. The CR station will come up in Seelampur, New Delhi. 'PARD VAANOLI' COMMUNITY RADIO STATION LAUNCHED IN MADURAI – 8 SEPEMBER 2009. 'PARD Vanoli', the community radio station licensed to PARD Madurai was officially inaugurated on 08.09.2009. The District Collector officially launched the Community Radio Station. Dr.G.Nammalvar, Natural Scientist, declared opened the Recording Room and Dr.Sundara Aavudaiyappan, Programme Executive, AIR, Madurai Radio declared open the Broadcasting Room.