Community Radio Awareness Workshop Aims to Strengthen Grassroots Communication

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India (GoI), in partnership with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), organised the Community Radio (CR) Awareness Workshop in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on 11-12 February 2025. Supported by Ranchi University and Jharkhand State Open University (JSOU), the workshop attracted over 40 participants from various organisations and educational institutions across Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. It aimed to promote the establishment and sustainability of CR stations, which serve as vital grassroots communication tools. 

The workshop began with self-introduction by participants, fostering a collaborative environment. In his welcome address, Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, highlighted that CR stations are cost-effective, community-owned, and play a vital role in addressing local issues, promoting cultural heritage, supporting education, and fostering local partnerships. He also addressed the sustainability challenges faced by CR stations, emphasising the crucial role of community support in ensuring their long-term viability. He encouraged participants to take advantage of this opportunity to establish CR stations, calling it a unique and powerful tool for community engagement.

Delivering the inaugural address, Shri Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Additional Director (CRS) at MIB, highlighted the government’s efforts to streamline procedures for CR station establishment and expand the network, which currently includes 528 operational stations. He emphasised CR’s role in empowering marginalised communities and encouraged the participants to contribute to the sector’s growth.

Professor T. N. Sahu, Vice-Chancellor, JSOU, emphasised the role of CR in Jharkhand’s development, particularly in extending the reach of education and enhancing community engagement. He noted that CR stations could be instrumental in promoting government schemes and fostering connectivity among rural communities. He affirmed JSOU’s commitment to integrating CR stations for the benefit of both students and the wider community, in collaboration with CEMCA and MIB.

The Inaugural session was followed by the screening of a documentary on India’s CR movement and a field visit to Radio Khanchi at Ranchi University, offering practical insights into CR operations. The final session of the day featured experience-sharing by operational CR stations, with experts discussing challenges and opportunities in content creation, community engagement, and sustainability.

The workshop, facilitated by Ms Monica Sharma, Programme Coordinator, COL-CEMCA, continued with additional sessions on the second day, focusing on the procedure of applying online for various licenses; sustainability and management of CR station; and engaging the participants in exploring the concept, impact and benefits of CR stations. Concluding with a valedictory session and certificate distribution, the workshop reflected a concerted effort to strengthen community radio as a dynamic medium for grassroots communication and social change.