Community Radio: self regulation & code of ethics

1. CR Self-Regulation & Code of
ethics
N.A.Shah Ansari
(Community Broadcaster)
Chairperson, Radio Namaskar
Vice President, Community Radio Association
…..balancing rights and
responsibilities
Compilation Date: 2/10/2013

2. Self Regulation?
• Self Regulation is the best system for promoting
high standards in the community media fora.
• SR will be vital to build on self-regulatory
mechanisms in enhancing CR professionals’
unbiased coverage, honesty, accuracy and
reliability.
• It will establish a mechanism to hold CRs
accountable to play a greater role as a
watchdog. Self-regulation is a function that lies
at the very the centre of this, fostering the
media’s responsibility towards the public and
enhancing the quality of CRs.

3. Is it censorship?
Never.
Self-regulation is not censorship and not
even self-censorship. It is about
establishing minimum principles on ethics,
accuracy, personal rights and so on, while
fully preserving editorial freedom on what
to broadcast and what opinions to
express.

4. Is self-regulation good for CR ?
• By promoting standards, self-regulation helps
maintain the CR’s credibility with the public.
• CR self-regulation helps convince the public that
the CR is not irresponsible.
• At the same time, self-regulation protects the
right of team to be independent, and to be
judged for professional mistakes not by those in
power but by their colleagues / community.

5. self-regulation good for the community?
• It is quite natural for listeners to seek guarantees
about the value of radio information.
• Codes of ethics provide guidance on content
standards, while complaint mechanisms offer a
kind of “quality insurance”.
• Complaints launched with self-regulatory bodies
come at no cost, unlike court proceedings. This
is a considerable advantage for the average
community.

6. 5 reasons for CR self-regulation
• It preserves broadcasting freedom.
• It helps to minimize state interference.
• It promotes media quality.
• It is evidence of media accountability.
• It helps readers access the media.

7. …connecting village
and villagers to
knowledge,
experiences and
resources…

8. NAMASKAR