Community Radio Workshop in Itanagar Concludes with Call for Collaboration

Arunachal Pradesh, 31 October 2025

A “Community Radio Awareness Workshop” was organised from 30-31 October 2025 at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA) and Rajiv Gandhi University. Over 40 participants from five Northeastern states- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram representing various educational institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), and government departments attended the workshop.

Ms. Shilpa Rao Tanugula, Director, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, highlighted the Government’s policies related to Community Radio Stations (CRS). She added that the Government of India has launched special initiatives to boost Community Radio Stations in the region, including a provision for financial assistance to support new CRS units.

Prof. Jayadeba Sahoo, Former Vice-Chancellor In-Charge, Senior Professor, Department of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, spoke about the importance of Community Radio Stations in promoting grassroots communication. Mr. Amit Dwivedi, Project Director-CRS, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, outlined the workshop's objectives, the Community Radio Station setup process, and the 'Supporting Community Radio Movement in India' scheme. He highlighted the online licensing process, making it easier and more transparent.

Ms. Monica Sharma from the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia, India, also shared her insights on managing and running CRSs. Participants visited a local CRS, engaging in activities on sustainability, management, and operations. They shared experiences, highlighting community radio's potential for local communication, education, and development.

B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, in his Valedictory speech, emphasised the importance of community radio in empowering local communities and bridging the gap between governance and grassroots realities. He highlighted its potential to foster two-way engagement, enabling communities to both receive and contribute value. He concluded with a call for collaboration and expansion of community radio to drive positive change.

The workshop raised awareness about community radio's role in community engagement and development, demystified policies, and encouraged eligible organisations to apply for licenses, setting the stage for increased collaboration and positive change in the region