Community Radio Leaders Gather Virtually to Sharpen Storytelling and Reporting Skills

In a significant initiative to strengthen grassroots media, the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), in collaboration with the Community Radio Association of India, hosted a national webinar on content creation, curation, and report writing for community radio stations (CRS). The virtual session brought together practitioners from across the country to share knowledge, explore challenges, and learn practical skills critical to the success and sustainability of community radio.

Shri Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Additional Director at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, inaugurated the session and underscored the importance of impactful reporting. He commended the collaborative effort by CEMCA and CRA in addressing real-world obstacles faced by CRS, especially in fulfilling documentation requirements for government and CSR-funded projects.

Dr Geeta Malhotra, Director of Read India and a pioneer in the community radio sector, led the training on content creation and curation. She highlighted community participation as the backbone of effective programming and urged stations to incorporate local dialects, cultural elements, and real-life stories. Drawing from over three decades of experience, she emphasised the role of radio in voicing the concerns of marginalised communities and catalysing social change.

The webinar covered the entire radio production process—from pre-production research and script writing to voice modulation and post-production packaging. Dr Malhotra shared valuable insights into writing clear, compelling scripts and maintaining listener interest through engaging formats like storytelling, drama, and interviews.

A major highlight was the focus on sustainability. Participants expressed concerns over volunteer retention and funding limitations. In response, speakers advocated for partnerships with educational institutions and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals to attract CSR support.

Ms Monica Sharma, Programme Coordinator, COL-CEMCA, introduced the participants to a structured approach to report writing, guiding stations on how to present their work effectively to stakeholders. Case studies from different regions showcased innovative programming, from documenting folk bhajans to running mental health initiatives.

The webinar concluded with a call to leverage community radio not just as a broadcast tool, but as a vehicle for lifelong learning and transformation. The participants welcomed future sessions on CSR engagement and thematic programming support.