1. THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIO
IN DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITY
FUNCTIONING AS A PUBLIC RELATIONS TOOL
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO
THE PUDUCHERRY STATE
K. KULASEKARAN,
B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., M.A., M.Phil. LL.B., PGDCA.
(Research Scholar-Ph.D.; Madurai Kamaraj University)
Department of Information and Publicity,
Govt. of Puducherry.
&
Dr.P.RAJENDRAN, Ph.D.
(Head & Academic Coordinator,
Dept. Of JMC & Law, DDE)
Madurai Kamaraj University.

2. NEED AND ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIO
•Villages in rural India are not essentially facing the same types of problems
or expectations.
•Our country is culturally, geographically, educationally and economically
divergent.
• The local language, customs and social practices, vary from place to
place and region to region.
•Community radio always plays a vital role in building alive communities, in
mobilizing groups to action by informing and empowering citizens, in giving
voice to the marginalized groups of society, and in bringing community
needs to the attention of local and even national governments.
•This type of radio service that offers a model of radio broadcasting beyond
commercial and public service.
•The content of broadcasting is largely popular and relevant to specific
audience but which may often be overlooked by commercial or mass-
media broadcasters.
Cont…

3. NEED AND ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIO
•It is functioning as a Public Relations Tools for rural development.
•Community radio stations are operated, owned, and driven by
the communities they serve.
• In many parts of the world today, community radio acts as a
vehicle for the community and voluntary sector, civil society,
agencies, NGOs and citizens to work in partnership to promote
community development.
•By the core aims and objectives of this model of broadcasting,
community radio stations often serve their listeners by offering a
variety of content that is not necessarily provided by the larger
commercial radio stations.

4. HISTORY OF COMMUNITY RADIO IN INDIA
•In India the campaign to legitimize community radio began in 1990s.
•Only educational radio stations were originally permitted.
•Anna FM was India's first campus "community" radio station. Launched
on 1 February 2004, it is run by the EMRC.& all programmes are
produced by Media Science students at Anna University.
•On 16 November 2006, the government of India implemented new
Community Radio Guidelines, which permit NGOs and other civil
organizations to own and operate community radio stations.
•About 4,000 community radio licenses are being offered across India.
• 30 November 2008, the Ministry of I & B had received 297 applications
for community radio licenses and 38 were operational.
Cont…

5. HISTORY OF COMMUNITY RADIO IN INDIA
•The first community-based radio station licensed to an NGO was
launched on 15 October 2008, when SANGHAM RADIO in Pastapur
village, Medak district, Andhra Pradesh state went on the air at 11:00 am
on 90.4 MHz, is licensed to the Deccan Development Society.
•The second NGO-led community radio station in India was launched on
23 October 2008 at Taragram in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh state. Named
RADIO BUNDELKHAND after the Bundelkhand region of central India
where it is located, the radio station is licensed to the Society for
Development Alternatives. Radio Bundelkhand also broadcasts on 90.4
MHz for four hours a day.
•Grant of Permission Agreements (GOPA) in 2009,for 62 community radio
stations.
•Community Radio SARANG on 107.8 is managed by the Mangalore
Jesuit Educational Society and run by St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.
Cont…

6. HISTORY OF COMMUNITY RADIO IN INDIA
•January 2005 ,BANASTHALI RADIO was the first community radio
station licensed in the state of Rajasthan as a campus radio
station for students
To create a common platform for the local communities of Supi
in Uttarakhand, TERI launched KUMAON VANI, a community
radio service, on March 11, 2010
Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, Guwahati, Assam,
aired the first programme on 28 January 2009 as an
experimental broadcast.
JNAN TARANGA (90.4 FM), the first community radio service in
northeastern India, began regular broadcasts November 20,
2010.

7. COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY
•Any not-for-profit "legal entity" except individuals, political parties,
criminal and banned organizations - can apply for a Community Radio
license.
•Central funding is not available .
•To operate a 100-watt radio station, with a coverage area of
approximately a 12-km radius. A maximum antenna height of 30 meters is
allowed.
•Community radio stations are expected to produce at least 50 percent of
their programmes locally, as much as possible in the local language or
dialect. The stress is on developmental programming, although there is no
explicit ban on entertainment.
• News programmes are banned.
•The government recently clarified that certain categories of news are
permitted on radio, including sports news and commentaries, information
on traffic and weather conditions, coverage of cultural events and
festivals, information on academic events, public announcements
pertaining to utilities such as electricity and the water supply, disaster
warnings and health alerts.
Cont…

8. COMMUNITY RADIO POLICY
•Five minutes of advertising per hour is allowed on community radio.
Sponsored programs are not allowed, except when the program is
sponsored by the government at the local or state level.
•The Community Radio Forum, India, was registered as a Society and Trust on
26 February 2008.
• In the meantime, mobile telephone operators have begun to offer
commercial broadcast services over GSM, evading government restrictions
built around traditional concepts of broadcasting technology,By 1 st July
2010.
• The Ministry of I&B announced that 715 applications for Community Radio
licenses had been received, including 104 under the old campus-radio
guidelines.
•231 Letters of Intent were issued.
•Grant of Permission Agreements (GOPA) were signed with 102 applicants,
and 68 community radio stations were on the air. 107 applications were
rejected, and 377 applications were being processed.

9. COMMUNITY RADIO IN PUDUCHERRY
• Community radio in Puducherry State is a type of radio service that outfit to
the interests of a certain area, broadcasting content that is popular to
specific local audience of Pondicherry and Karaikal
Frequency (in Name Address
kHz, FM in MHz)
Karaikal
100.3 MHz All India Radio Karaikal Radio Avenue, Nehru Nagar, Karaikal -
(AIR / Akashvani Karaikal) 609605
Pandicherry (Puducherry)
1215 kHz All India Radio Pondicherry 204, Coubert Avenue,
101.3 MHz (AIR / Akashvani Puducherry) Gorimedu, Pondicherry - 605001
Achariya Arts & Science College
90.8MHz HONY FM Achariyapuram, Villianur,Pondicherry - 605110
92.7 MHz Big 92.7 FM Pondicherry
93.5 MHz Suryan FM G-1, Industrial Estate,
Thattanchavady, Pondicherry .
106.4 MHz Hello FM Malar Publications, Pondicherry
107.8 MHz Puduvai Vaani Convention-cum-Cultural Centre
Pondicherry UniversityPondicherry - 605014
Sri Manakula Vinayagar EngineeringCollege,
90.4MHz NILA FM Madagadipet, Pondicherry - 107

10. COMMUNITY RADIO IN PUDUCHERRY
NAME OF RADIO COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
Sun Network owns two Radio brands: Suryan FM in Tamil Nadu and for other
Pondicherry territories Red FM (Suryan FM 93.5). The top slot is a result of a carefully
Suryan FM planned thoroughly enjoyable, round-the-clock, wholesome entertainment-
oriented package and there is a substantial localization of content to retain the
regional flavor.
Hello FM •Hello FM is the largest network of private FM radio stations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
• The sound-scpe of Hello FM 106.4 is a reflection of the mood-map of the city.
•minute detail has been carefully designed to ensure that it addresses the appropriate
mood of the relevant target group at the right moment of the day.
Big 92.7 FM 92.7 BIG FM is a nationwide private FM radio station in India owned by Indian businessman
Anil Ambani. It broadcasts at 92.7 MHz (92.7FM).Currently, it covers 45 cities. This is the only
private FM radio station t from Srinagar and Jammu in J& K .
HONY FM ACHARIYA Arts and Science College, Villianur, Pondicherry has started 'HONEY FM 90.8
MHz' and working for particular community development like education, health and
sanitation, etc. It is also to help students to understand the meaningful relationships
between art and craft and technology so as to enable them to become globally
recognized media professionals Department owns an FM Radio station and television
channel namely 'HONEY FM' helping the students to prepare themselves for the industry
Puduvai The “Puduvai Vaani” is very important Community Radio Station in Puducherry State
established by Pondicherry University with the support of UGC, New Delhi. The full time
Vaani transmission was gone on air from 1st January 2009 onwards. Puduvai Vaani has been
started with an aim to make awareness among the rural community people to improve
their nature of life style.
Puduvai Vaani, Honey F.M., Akashvani Puducherry and Karaikal are mainly functioning as community radio in
Puducherry State. This community radios are the public broadcaster to awaken, inform, enlighten educate and
entertain all section of the people including the programme on women empowerment, communal harmony, food
habit, health and sanitation, and education. It also brings out the hidden talents of the students in and around the
University campus.

11. METHODOLOGY
•A list of 100 people was selected who were actively involved in
programmes of the community radio.
•Among these 100 people, 90 respondents have given response
for this study.
•17 respondents who were working in the Government of Puducherry
were also interviewed.
•The data were collected by personal contacts with respondents and
by attending Self Help Group meetings and with the help of the
interpreter.

12. IMPACT OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
ON FAMILY SYSTEM
CHANGE INDICATORS
Sl. YES NO
No IMPACT
DIMENSIONS Nos. Percentage Nos. Percentage
1 Family planning 70 77.80 20 22.20
and its importance
2 Change in family 25 27.80 65 72.20
occupation
3 Dowry has 59 65.55 31 34.45
decreased for the
past few years
4 Knowledge on
age of marriage 55 61.11 35 38.89
for boy/girl has
increased

13. IMPACT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ON FOOD HABIT
CHANGE INDICATORS
Sl. No YES NO
IMPACT DIMENSIONS
Nos. Percentage Nos. Percentage
1 Food habits have changed 32 35.55 58 64.45
in recent past due to
awareness programmes
2 Knowledge about healthy 72 80 18 20
and balanced diet has
increased
3 Consumption of milk and 39 43.33 51 56.47
fruits has gone up due to
awareness
4 Maintaining cleanliness 75 83.33 15 16.67
has increased

14. IMPACT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ON EDUCATION
CHANGE INDICATORS
Sl. No YES NO
IMPACT DIMENSIONS
Nos. Percentage Nos. Percentage
1 Started sending 79 87.78 11 12.22
children to school
regularly
2 Programmes 25 27.78 65 72.22
motivated boy / girl
to go out for higher
studies
3 Girl education has 50 55.56 40 44.44
increased
4 Children motivated 73 81.11 17 18.89
to go for higher
studies

15. IMPACT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ON HEALTH AND SANITATION
CHANGE INDICATORS
Sl. No YES NO
IMPACT DIMENSIONS
Nos. Percentage Nos. Percentage
1 Awareness programmes 72 80 18 20
have increased the
knowledge on given
preventive cares to
children
2 Taking precautionary 53 58.89 37 41.11
measures for keeping
members of the family
disease free
3 Timely use of medicines 51 56.67 39 43.33
4 Timely treatment of sick 75 83.33 15 16.67
members of family

16. IMPACT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ON LEADERSHIP
CHANGE INDICATORS
Sl. YES NO
No IMPACT
DIMENSIONS Nos. Percentage Nos. Percentage
1 Respondent offers 28 31.11 62 68.89
advice and
information to
others
2 Respondent used to 64 71.11 26 28.89
seek advice and
information from
others

17. OVERALL SOCIAL IMPACT OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
100 FAMILY
90
80
70
60
50
40 FAMILY
30
20
10
0
FAMILY SYSTEM FOOD HABIT EDUCATION HEALTH LEADERSHIP80%
40% 50% 60% &SANITATION
70%

18. CONCLUSION
•In the real sense, community radio plays a essential role in making
the masses aware about their basic rights and duties.
•Not only limited to solving problems which a common man faces
in his day-to-day life, community radio provides him a strong
platform from where he can freely disseminate his ideas among his
community members in the best possible manner. Thus, community
radio becomes one of the important instruments in strengthening
our ‘Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression’.
•The overall social impact of community development
programmes likes women empowerment, communal
harmony, health and sanitations, and education indicated that the
participation and awareness created by various community
development programmes had great impact on leadership
behaviour.
•Leadership was accorded with the highest mean score of 80 and
hence was ranked first and this was followed by health and
sanitation, education, food habit and family system which were
ranked second, third, fourth and fifth respectively. Cont…

19. CONCLUSION
•Besides solving social problems as well as entertaining local
people, community radio also acts as an intermediary between the
Government and the local masses.
•This is the place from where local people can air their grievances to
the Government as well as get the solutions to their problems too.
•Needless to say, community radio has played a major role in
bridging the communication gap between the Government and the
local people. As, the community radio is still evolving it might be
possible that in the near future, we will witness its various new forms
which will be technologically more superior as well as user-friendly.
• Well, whatever the case may be, community radio has proved to
be one of the best medium of communication at the grass-root level.
Cont…

20. CONCLUSION
•The findings of the study may be utilized by the extension
agencies, non-Government organizations, policy makers and other
similar organizations for community mobilization.
•Findings of impact assessment of community radio station would help
the researchers to understand how timely access to information can
help in socio-economic and cultural development of the people.
•Dimensions such as leadership, family
system, savings, education, health and sanitation, etc have brought
about significant changes in the life of the people in Puducherry State.
•Hence, community radio can play a catalytic role in changing the
life of the rural people.

21. Thank You