Community Radio Broadcasting: Regaining the lost faith and authenticity of radio broadcasting in India

 

Dr. Lokesh Sharma ¹, Anjali Gupta ²

 

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Journalism & Mass communication, Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, Rajasthan, India

² Research Scholar, Department of Journalism & Mass communication, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India

 

1. INTRODUCTION

The historical account of broadcasting in India is very interesting. The Government of India Act of 1935 permitted state governments to operate radio stations, and after the constitution came into effect in 1950, broadcasting was added to the central list. The narrative story of Indian broadcasting commenced during the colonial time on July 23, 1927 as the foremost station of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) went on the air. During the Quit India Movement, Dr. Ram Monohar Lohia operated an underground radio station for three months in the year 1942 (Sekhar). “Radio broadcasting in India was regulated by the notion that its goal was to generate and distribute a variety of programmes with the aim of educating, enlightening, awakening, and enriching all societal segments during the entirety of the 20th century.” (All India Radio, 2013). The revival of radio truly began in India in 1995 with the launch of FM broadcasting by AIR, where some slots were handed to commercial producers on a sponsorship basis. In 2003, private players were granted licences to run FM radio stations in India, ushering in a period of radio privatisation. This pattern persevered, with an expanding number of FM stations receiving phased licences. Radio sets regained their positions in homes and found spots of their own in buses and auto rickshaws as an outcome largely based on the music-based entertainment programmes, exuberant and energetic Radio Jockeys, and participatory formats that made FM immensely popular, especially among the young people. Atton (2002)

Kolkata has 16 FM stations with a total population of over 14 million in the extended metropolitan area. Nine of these are for-profit businesses, three are nonprofits, and the remaining ones are run by All India Radio. One of the initial four private radio stations in the city of Kolkata, Radio Mirchi, began broadcasting in May 2003. It has continuously been rated as the best station around greater Kolkata region over the last ten years. The Times Group secured the most frequencies after the Indian government chose to grant licences for private FM broadcasting in the year 2000 and launched its very own Private FM radio station under the brand title Radio Mirchi. Balan & Norman (2012)

Community media is a form of participatory and inclusive media that emerged as a result of discontent with mainstream media, its content and coverage. It operates on the ideals of free expression and participatory democracy, fosters community cohesion, and enhances relationships within the community. Gordon (2006) observes that “Community radio is a radio station operated by the community members with community interests in mind without the constraints of making a profit”. As the voice of the voiceless, community radio is a non-profit service that sets itself apart from other forms of media. It symbolises a fresh approach to using the radio medium and advocates for the community's downtrodden citizens. Buckley (2006)

The airwaves are property of the public, conferring to the 1995 ruling of the illustrious Supreme Court of India. Following the decision of the Supreme Court of India in the year 1995 stating that the air frequencies are belonging of the public, the concept of "community radio" has come to the front with the government's sanction of the creation of radio stations to extremely regarded educational establishments.  It resulted in the creation of campus radio stations with the ability to broadcast over a range of 10-15 kilometres. Launching at least 4000 community radio stations was part of the 2006 government's strategy, which was in effect at the time. Dagron (2001)

The 2006 Community Radio Guidelines have made it possible for educational institutions, nonprofit organisations, and agricultural research facilities to launch community radio stations that only broadcast to the surrounding communities. The study area for this study has been determined to be the Rajasthan, a state in the Indian subcontinent. In the state, 22 community radio stations are currently in operation at present (as of the time of writing).

 

 

 

 

1.1.    Conceptual framework

Jürgen Habermas developed the concept of the public sphere, who stated that the public sphere is a domain of social life in which public opinion can be formed. According to Habermas (1992), the public sphere is a place where citizens discuss public issues, a space that serves as a bridge between society and the state. It is open to all citizens and emerges from any dialogue in which individuals come together to form a public. In order to create a public realm, the citizen plays the role of a private individual and discusses the issues of public interest rather than states or private interests. Dutta & Ray (2009)

Saeed (2009)  observed that the commercial broadcasting is a market model, whereas public broadcasting is elitist. The elite model reduces public opinion to mass opinion and communication to dissemination, whereas the market model employs participation to position the viewer as a consumer rather than a citizen. Privatization and commercialization of mass communication channels has deteriorated the content in terms of kind and the nature of issues highlighted. The channels influenced by privileged class deliver partial and distorted information to the people. According to Kruse et al. (2018), new modes of communication provide greater interaction and connectivity, both of which are critical for the growth of the public sphere. Hardt (1993)

The need of the hour is for community-based media that can play a neutral and growth-oriented role. The presence of community radio is very significant in an era of market-driven industry and commercialization. Community radio gives opportunities to those who do not have other avenues to express their concerns a platform to do so. It arose from dissatisfaction with mainstream media and serves as an alternative media channel for the community. The present study proposes further exploration of effects of the public sphere in the context of community radio. Sharma et al. (2021)

 

2. Review of Literature

Reeves & Nass (1996) observes that “Authenticity has always been a valued characteristic, but the ever-flowing sea of misinformation and its assumed impact on the masses has heightened our desire to an additional level. Just as computers become social actors when people treat them like humans what matters may not be whether a given message exchange meets the prescribed structural or relational requirements of authentic social communication, but how much it feels like it does to those participating in or witnessing it. The current model seeks to account for "communication" impacts that are not convertible to "message" effects by focusing on individuals' subjective perception of communication as its primary building component.” Lee (2020).

Enli (2015) in their work “Mediated authenticity: How the media constructs reality” elaborate on the meaning of legitimacy of communication which is mediated. The work explains that authenticity involves trustworthiness (i.e., being accurate, correct), spontaneity (i.e., being true to oneself, unscripted), and originality (i.e., being honest, factual). Encompassing former conviction that centres upon the identity of the communicator or content of the message, authenticity of communication here denotes to the degree to which an act of communication, in total, is professed to be realistic and factual. Howley (2010)

Sharma & Kashyap (2014) in their research “Community Radio: An Innovative Medium for Capacity Building of Rural People” outlined the advancements of community radio in India. In contrast to public and corporate broadcasting, community media is a media service that offers a novel kind of radio broadcasting. They broadcast material that is widespread and significant in a particular local market but is occasionally disregarded by media avenues, including television and commercial ones. The community radio stations embody regional and significant populations and are run by the groups they represent, and are controlled, and affected by them. They commonly are not centred on generating revenue and offer a way for individuals, groups, or communities to share their tales and experiences, become media contributors and creators in a media-rich world, and do it in a safe and supportive environment. Jallov (2012)

Krishna et al. (2017) in the study “Socio-Technological Empowerment of Rural Households through Community Radio Stations” puts forward that a significant aspect of community Radio (CR) is that it is a form of radio which provides platform to the masses of the people who live for from the urban areas. These people are, in fact, & under-privileged and underdeveloped and have no access to the media or any means of communication to give mouth to their feelings. C.R is a direct support at the ground-level, promotes their expression of thoughts & feelings and propels local culture as well as the value of their culture. The mem purpose of C. R. is to make the voice of such people heard, who are deprived of such any platform: community radio really fulfils its purpose by providing platform for the volunteers at the local level. In the present day, community radio serves as a platform for the cultural voluntary sector, civic society, government agencies, nongovernmental organisations, and local residents to work together to support the development of their communities. Neighbourhood radio channels, which are the primary objectives and primacies of this type of broadcasting, also aid their listeners by presenting a variety of programming containing diverse content. Radio insists on a reciprocal operation that involves a collaborative process.

Katsaounidou et al. (2019) in the Chapter “Media Authenticity and Journalism: An Inseparable Framework” discusses the much-needed urgency of the hour is to re-establish the trust and faith between the media and the common masses. It seems that the faith has been lost somewhere and we should focus on re-generating and redeveloping that lost faith between the newsgathering i.e. news-making and the end- user of the news.

Murada & Sreedher (2019) in their book “Community Radio in India” shares that community radio station can be established, strengthened, and rooted deeply among the masses by involving academics and grassroot organizations. However, the biggest obstacle in developing and sustaining the C.R (s) in the awareness and participation of C.R. volunteers among the mass communities. There is lack of procurement and distribution of quality material and organizing training programmes at the grass root level. Such obstacles need to be put to an end or say they should be rip in the bud at the earliest level/stage. This calls for science initiative, evolving and outlining suitable methodologies to attract donors and those who are dedicated for this honorable cause.

McNair (2000) in their work “Journalism and Democracy: An Evaluation of the Political Public Sphere” discusses that the majority of journalists feel that objectivity separates news reporting from other infotainment or political opinion pieces as the essential component of the journalism profession. Thus, it is thought that the idea of "Truth" occupies a prominent position within the news gathering and publishing sector.

Sharma et al. (2022) in his book “Community Radio and Empowerment: An empirical study on rural empowerment by Community Radio Statistics of Rajasthan (India)” analysed and inspected the part played by community radio stations in enabling the pastoral and rural communities of the state of Rajasthan in India. He also describes the essentials of community media featuring its foundation and progress across the globe. Community Radio as well as the Community Radio Volunteers plays a very vital and substantially significant role in the displacement of the community ratio concept across the Globe. In order to achieve this remarkable feat, the Community radio training programme has a special and specific role to play. The CR volunteers help in making the community radio popular among the marginalized communities and help in improving the skill and awareness of the marginalized communities.

 

3. Research Questions

The contemporary radio broadcasting in India particularly private FM radio broadcasting is struggling with the credibility and loosing the faith among listeners in terms of reliable and relevant information. It has been proven that community radio is an exceptional channel of communication at grass root level but do the listeners prefer the community radio in comparison to public and private radios? What are the factors and aspects of CRS that build trust in the listeners? Why do listeners have faith in the CRS in terms of relevant reliable and useful information? Such interrogations and questions are the steering force behind the study which will explore how and at what extent the community radio initiatives in Rajasthan (India) are regaining the lost faith of radio broadcasting in India. Khan (2010)

 

4. Objectives

The main objective of the study is to understand and analyse the factors and aspects that build the trust of listeners in the community radio stations and makes the station a reliable source of information. Nirmala (2015)

 

5. Research Methodology

The present research is planned and designed as descriptive research wherein content analysis and quantitative analysis methods have been used. The content analysis analysis approach has been adopted to analyze the programme content and quantitative analyse approach has been used to analyse the preferences and choices of listeners pertaining to programme content and various training programmes conducted by the radio stations to motivate and encourage the participation.

 

5.1. Sampling

The selection of CRS is conducted using the non-probability sampling method known as the purposive sampling method. The measures for choosing a community radio station are (1) Various types of currently operating stations in Rajasthan, (2) well-known stations that have been serving the area for more than 10 years and are located in rural areas. The community radio stations chosen for conducting the study are Tilonia Radio 90.8 FM in Ajmer district of Rajasthan, Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM in Sirohi district, Radio Banasthali 90.4 FM in Tonk district, and Kamalvani 90.4 FM in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan.  Since they have been serving the community for a long time, all well-recognised community radio stations in the state are well situated in their corresponding communities. (Table 1)

 

 

Table 1

Table 1 Selected Community Radio Stations
S. No.	Name of CRS	Address	Category
1.	Kamalvani	Kamalnishtha Sansthan, Kolsia, Jhunjhunu- 333042, Rajasthan (India)	NGO
2.	Radio Banasthali	Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk- 304022 Rajasthan (India)	Educational
3.	Radio Madhuban	Brahma Kumaris, Abu Road, Sirohi – 307510, Rajasthan (India)	Educational
4.	Tilonia Radio	Barefoot College, Tilonia, Ajmer – 305816, Rajasthan (India)	NGO

 

5.2. Selection of listeners

Selection of listeners has been done as per the list of listeners provided by the radio stations. All 100 listeners of the radio stations were selected for the survey using census method. The table below presents the number of respondents recommended by the community radio stations.

Table 2

Table 2 Number of Respondents
Name of CRS	No. of respondents	Gender
Kamalvani 90.4 FM	10	Female
	13	Male
Radio Banasthali 90.4 FM	16	Female
	14	Male
Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM	11	Female
	16	Male
Tilonia Radio 90.4 FM	9	Female
	11	Male
Total	100

 

5.3. Data Collection

The researcher has made genuine attempts to gather information from a number of sources. Primary data pertaining to listener’s preferences and choices is collected through the telephonic interview using a question schedule containing closed and open ended questions. Secondary data about the programme content is gathered from literature of various national and international journals, business, newspapers, magazines, books, reports, blogs and online databases.

 

6. Data analysis and interpretation

6.1. Broadcast Profile and programme content

The broadcast profile of the stations and programme content has been analysed through the content analysis.

Table 3

Table 3 Broadcast Profile of Community Radio Stations
S. No.	CRS	Broadcast timings	Total Hours	Language of Broadcast
1.	Kamalvani	6-11AM; 5-10PM	10 hrs.	Hindi and Rajasthani
2.	Radio Banasthali	7-1pm & 4-10pm	12 hrs.	Hindi and Rajasthani
3.	Radio Madhuban	6AM-10.30PM 10.30 PM (onwards repeat broadcast)	24 hrs.	Hindi, Marwari & Adivasi
4.	Tilonia Radio	7 - 9 AM 12 - 2 PM 6 - 9 PM	7 hrs.	Hindi and Marwari

 

The majority of prevalent programmes are broadcast on community radio stations in Hindi, Rajasthani, and regional dialects, according to their broadcast profiles. Some radio stations broadcast in their native tongues, such as Radio Madhuban, Kamalvani, and Radio Vagad, which all use local languages to broadcast in such as adivasi, shekwati and vagadi respectively. With a focus on skill expansion, sanitation & hygiene, decontamination & neatness, societal support, variability of nature, family government assistance framework, maternal and child welfare, social injustice, social talents, customs and traditions of the civic people and its government assistance standpoint, tobacco free schools, fresco canvases, and people culture of Shekhawati territory, Kamalvani 90.4 FM broadcasts for ten hours every day. Education, health, agriculture, folk art, and culture are the main topics covered by Radio Banasthali 90.4 FM, which broadcasts continuously. With a focus on education, de-enslavement, children, character development, youngsters, women, senior citizens, virtues, leadership, administration, climate, social improprieties, wellbeing and sanitation, and all-inclusive turn of events, Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM broadcasts continuously. Tilonia Radio 90.4 FM broadcasted for seven hours every day with a focus on caste discrimination, gender bias, the NREGA, labour cards, and RTI.

Table 4

Table 4 Programmes in Local Language/Dialect
S. No.	Name of CRS	Programmes	Formats	Duration
1.	Kamalvani	·        Radio Maths, ·        Apni-Dharti-Apna Log, ·        Apni choupal ·        Maruras, ·        Kuchh baten kuchh geet	·   Discussion ·       Interviews ·          Field recording ·          Folk Music ·       Story with folk music	6hours/day
2.	Radio Banasthali	·   GrameenJagat,, ·   GoanGoanDhaniDhani, ·   Algoja ·   MileSurMera Tumhara ·        Apaji ki Siekh	·          Live-phone in ·          Field recording ·   Discussion ·          Story with folk music	6hours/ day
3.	Radio Madhuban	·   Aashiyana, ·       MeraGaonMeraAnchal, ·   Apno Samaj, ·        Gaon ri batain	·          Live-phone in ·          Field recording ·   Discussion ·       Interviews	14hours/day
4.	Tilonia Radio	·        MGNREGA mein chala, ·        Manada Me Vishwas Rakhlo	·   Discussion ·       Interviews ·          Field recording	4hours/day

 

Table 5

Table 5 Kamalvani 90.4 FM
S. No.	Language of Broadcast	Broadcast Hours	% Content
1.	Hindi	4	40
2.	Local language/dialect	6	60
	Total	10	100

 

The Kamalvani has become one of the most well-liked radio stations in the area owing to its programmes, which include Radio maths, Maruras, Kuchh baten kuchh geet, Apni chaupal, and Khurjan. The shows take up 6 hours of airtime, or 60% of the total amount of time. The Figure below shows 60% content of the CR is being on aired in local language/dialect.

Figure 1

Figure 1 language of Broadcast (Kamalvani 90.4 FM)

 

Table 6

Table 6 Radio Banasthali 90.4 FM
S. No.	Language of Broadcast	Broadcast Hours	% Content
1.	Hindi	6	50
2.	Local language/dialect	6	50
	Total	12	100

 

Gramin Jagat, Apaji ki Sikh, Algoja, Gaon gaon dhani dhani, and Mile sur mera tumhara, which are all highly favoured by listeners in rural areas, are among the programmes that the radio station broadcasts for six hours every day. On the listeners' persistent requests, these programmes are broadcasted repeatedly. The diagram below demonstrates that these programmes receive half of the total airtime (12 hours per day) which proves that 50% programme content is being on aired in local language/dialect.

Figure 2

Figure 2 language of Broadcast (Radio Banasthali 90.4 FM)

 

Table 7

Table 7 Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM
S. No.	Language of Broadcast	Broadcast Hours	% Content
1.	Hindi	10	41.66
2.	Local language/dialect	14	58.33
	Total	24	100

 

The station aired four programmes with a focus on folk music and culture, including Aashiyana, Apno Samaj, Mera Gaon Mera Anchal, and Gaon ri batain. The overall airtime for the programming, which includes repeat broadcasts, is 14 hours per day, or 58% of the available time. The figure below shows near about 58% programme content is being on aired in local language/dialect while 42% is in Hindi language.

Figure 3    

        

Figure 3 language of Broadcast (Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM)

 

Table 8

Table 8 Tilonia Radio 90.4 FM
S. No.	Language of Broadcast	Broadcast Hours	% Content
1.	Hindi	3	42.85
2.	Local language/dialect	4	57.14
	Total	7	100

 

The station does not air programmes with distinct titles, although content-centred traditional songs are performed in numerous programmes grounded on information about festivals, musical instruments, agriculture, culture, and local music. These programmes are broadcast for 4 hours every day, accounting for 57% of the total airtime. The figure below shows near about 57% programme content is being on aired in local language/dialect while 43% is in Hindi language.

Figure 5

Figure 4 language of Broadcast (Tilonia Radio 90.4 FM)

           

6.2. Listener’s preferences and choices

To know and analyse the preferences and choices of listeners telephonic interviews are conducted using a question schedule containing closed ended questions. Frequency distribution tables are used to analyse the quantitative data and pie charts are used for the graphical representation.

Q1. How often do you listen your CRS?

Table 9

Table 9 Frequency of Listening the Community Radio Station
S. No.	Frequency of Listening	Frequency	Percent
1	Daily	92	92.0
2	Weekly (1-2 times a week)	5	5.0
3	In two weeks (2-3 times a month)	3	3.0
4	Monthly (once a month or less)	0	0.0
5	Sometimes	0	0.0
Total		100	100.0

 

Table above throws light on the frequency of respondents listening to the community radio station. The figure below illustrates that the number of respondents who listen to the community radio station daily is 92.0%, while only 5.0% respondents listen to the community radio on weekly basis and 3% of the respondents are found to be fortnightly listeners of CRS.

Figure 5

Figure 5 Frequency of listening the Community Radio Station

     

Q2. How often do you listen private/public FM radio stations?

Table 10

Table 10 Frequency of Listening the Private/Public FM radio Stations
S. No.	Frequency of Listening	Frequency	Percent
1	Daily	7	7.0
2	Weekly (1-2 times a week)	11	11.0
3	In two weeks (2-3 times a month)	6	6.0
4	Monthly (once a month or less)	0	0.0
5	Sometimes	76	76.0
Total		100	100.0

 

Table overhead demonstrates the number of respondents who listen to private/ public FM radio stations. Findings suggest that 76.0% of the respondents listen sometimes whereas 11.0% of the respondents listen weekly, 6.0% listen fortnightly, and only 7.0% listen to public/private FM radio stations on daily basis. The same data from the table above is shown and condensed graphically in the picture below.

Figure 6

Figure 6 Frequency of Listening the Private/Public FM Radio Stations

 

Q3. Do you participate in the programmes?

Table 11

Table 11 Participation in Community Radio Programmes
S. No.	Participation	Frequency	Percent
1	Yes	98	98.0
2	No	2	2.0
Total		100	100.0

 

The table atop shows the number of respondents who participate in community radio programmes. Findings suggest that 98.0% of the respondents have participated in the programmes. Only 2.0% of the respondents, on the other hand, said that they had not taken part in any programmes. The same data is shown and condensed graphically in the picture below.

Figure 7

Figure 7 Participation in Community Radio Programmes

 

Q4.  How long have you been listening to the CRS? For last

Table 12

Table 12 Tenure of Listening the CRS
S. No.	Tenure	Frequency	Percent
1	Six months	3	3.0
2	One year	5	5.0
3	Two years	8	8.0
4	Three years	23	23.0
5	Four years	24	24.0
6	Five years or +	37	37.0
Total		100	100.0

 

The answers to the questions that were posed to participants using the CRS to describe the tenure for which they had been listening are displayed in the table above. The data in this respect showed that 37.0% of the respondents, or the majority, had been affiliated with CRS for five years or more. Additionally, it was discovered that 24.0% of the respondents had worked for CRS for close to four years. 23.0% of the responders who had been connected to CRS for three years came after this. 8.0% of participants stated that they have been involved with the CRS for at least the duration of two years. As a result, just 5.0% and 2.0% of respondents had been linked with the CRS for the shortest amount of time, an year and six months, respectively. The graphical representation of the same table is presented and summarized in the image below.

Figure 8

Figure 8 Tenure of Listening

 

Q5. Have you attended any Community radio training programme/workshop/activity/seminar?

Table 13

Table 13 Participation in Community Radio Training Programme/Workshop/Activity/Seminar
S. No.	Participation	Frequency	Percent
1	Yes	95	95.0
2	No	5	5.0
Total		100	100.0

 

The survey respondents who received training in any subject through a workshop, activity, or seminar sponsored by Community Radio are shown in the table above. The results indicate that 95.0% of the respondents did participate in the courses and receive training from the lectures, workshops, or other events that were conducted by CRS. Only 5.0% of the respondents, on the other hand, said that they had not attended any programmes, lectures, trainings, or other events that CRS hosts.

Figure 9

Figure 9 Participation in Community Radio Training   Programme/Workshop/Activity

 

Q6. What did you learn during the Community radio training programme/workshop/activity/seminar?

Table 14

Table 14 Skills Learnt During the Community Radio Training Programme/Workshop/Activity/Seminar
S. No.	Skills learnt	Yes	No	Total
1	Script Writing	22	78	100
2	Anchoring/Presentation	28	72	100
3	RJing	7	93	100
4	Recording	17	83	100
5	Editing	11	89	100
6	Field reporting	10	90	100
7	Transmission	5	95	100

 

The responses provided to questions on the skills acquired through the programme, workshops, seminars, or other training events held by community radio are shown in the table above. Accordingly, it was discovered that 28% of the respondents, or the majority, had learned anchoring and presentation. The 22% of individuals who had instruction in script writing came next. 17% of them were discovered to have taken Recording classes, while 11% had taken Editing classes. 10% of the participants and 7% of them, respectively, stated that they had learned field reporting and RJing. Only 5% of the responders who were still alive claimed to have learned transmission. The Figure 10 illustrates the same.

Figure 10

Figure 10 Skills Learnt During the Community Radio Training Programme/Workshop/Activity/Seminar

 

Q7. What makes the CRS interesting in comparison to the private/public FM radio station?

Table 15

Table 15 Factors/Aspects of CRS that Makes it Interesting
S. No.	Factors/aspects	Yes	No	Total
1	Local content	20	80	100
2	Programmes in local language/dialect	30	70	100
3	Programmes by local community members	32	68	100
4	Filmi Songs	1	99	100
5	Advertisements and Jingles	2	98	100
6	Folk music/songs	10	90	100
7	Interactive formats	5	95	100

 

The table above demonstrates the factors of CRS which makes it more interesting and appealing to the respondents. It was found that 32.0% of respondents highlighted programmes by local community members as the major factor, followed by 30.0% of respondents who put emphasis on programmes in local languages, 20.0% of respondents selected local content as an interesting aspect, and 10% were attracted to the folk music/ songs whereas, it was found that 5%, 2% and 1% of respondents favoured Interactive formats, Advertisements & Jingles, and Filmi songs respectively as the interesting aspects of CRS. The Figure 11 depicts the same.

Figure 11

Figure 11 Factors/Aspects of CRS that Makes it Interesting

   

Q8. What makes the content of CRS reliable and relevant in comparison to the content of private/public FM radio station?

Table 16

Table 16 Factors/Aspects of Content of CRS that Makes it Reliable and Relevant
S. No.	Factors/aspects	Yes	No	Total
1	Local content	14	86	100
2	Local style of presentation	8	92	100
3	Programmes in local language/dialect	32	68	100
4	Programmes by local community members	40	60	100
5	Interactive formats	6	94	100

 

The table above illustrates the factors affecting the reliability and relevance of the content of CRS in comparison to the content of public/private FM radio stations. Findings suggest that 40% of respondents highlighted programmes by local community members as the major factor, followed by 32% of respondents who selected programmes in local languages, 14% of respondents pointed out local content as an interesting aspect, and 8% found the local style of presentation as a relevant factor, and the remaining 6% respondents factored the interactive format of content as a reliable aspect. The Figure 12 depicts the same.

Figure 12

Figure 12 Factors/Aspects of Content of CRS that Makes it Reliable and Relevant

 

Q9. Do you trust the content of other FM radio stations? If no, then why

Table 17

Table 17 Trust in the Content of Other FM Radio Stations
S. No.	Trust	Frequency	Reason	Frequency2
1	Yes	45	-
2			Do not find it relevant	18
3			Do not understand language	12
4	No	55	Non-interactive format	10
5			No feedback opportunity	10
6			Not based on local issues	5

 

The table above displays answers referring to the trust in the content of other FM radio stations. 45% respondents trust the content but 55% respondents do not trust the content for various reasons; 18% are those who do not find it relevant, 12% do not understand the language, 10% find the format of the content non-interactive, the other 10% notice the lack of feedback opportunity and the remaining 5% opine that the content is not based on local issues.

Figure 13

Figure 13 Trust in the Content of Other FM Radio Stations

 

7. Findings and Discussion

The findings of the research study demonstrate that most of the shows are broadcast in interactive formats. Folk music are sometimes paired with lectures and discussions in certain programmes that use the modern infotainment format to entertain the audience. The local accent and presentational style enhance local culture and forge a connection with the audience. The presentations often employ other forms to add appeal, including live phone-ins, storytelling, and field recordings. According to a comprehensive review of programme content, all of the chosen community radio stations broadcast more than 50% of their programming in the local language or dialect. The data gathered also indicates that, in cooperation with other like-minded groups, the majority of radio stations have successfully implemented their strategies for various community engagement events including training sessions, seminars, fairs, camps, and competitions. The radio station routinely plans events to include and uplift the neighbourhood. Community members are constantly eager to take part in and excel in such activities. The contestants are given the chance to use the airwaves to display their talent. One of the biggest benefits for many of them is listening to their own voice on an FM radio station and sharing their gift. Trust and faith in the CRS are a result of community participation. Rennie (2006), Traber (1985)

 

8. Conclusion

The programme content of the CRS emphasizes programming that expresses the needs, interests, and diversity of the local community. Engaging listeners through discussions, interviews, and shows that address local issues, culture, and heritage. Participatory approach encourages community participation in radio production. Involve local residents, NGOs, schools, and other organizations in content creation, allowing them to share their stories, ideas, and talents on air. This builds trust with listeners by maintaining transparency in programming, content and information. It ensures that the community radio station operates independently and avoids any biases or conflicts of interest. Broadcast in local languages to reach a wider audience and cater to diverse linguistic communities. Training and capacity building programmes gives opportunities to community members interested in radio production and it ensures quality content creation and helps in nurturing local talent. By focusing on these aspects, community radio stations are striving to regain the lost faith and authenticity in radio broadcasting in India.

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

REFERENCES

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