10 January 2023, NIICE Commentary 8474
Akanksha Kalyan
All around the globe, today community radio and community communication offer platforms for the empowerment of people in the true sense of the term. Community radio is one of the lowest-cost mediums that ensures to promotion and protect the cultural linguistic and ethnic diversity of the region. Its focus on local concerns, aspirations and involvement of the local population makes it a powerful medium for development. Community radio is truly important for developing countries and a region like South Asia where most of the countries are struck with socio-economic challenges, it can act as a tool for education and information.
Ambrish Saxena in his book Radio in New Avatar AM to FM defines community radio as “a medium that is owned by the community and broadcast programmes are designed, produced and transmitted to meet its development needs.” COVID-19 virus which reportedly emerged in China in 2020 affected almost every country of the world. It was a major challenge for the governments of developing countries. South Asia is one of those regions which comprises a majority of developing countries. Another challenge which the region faces is illiteracy and a dense population. This article deals with the role that community radios have been playing in disseminating news about the coronavirus and educating their community against its spread.
Coverage of the COVID-19 on Community Radio in South Asia
Community radios have been acting like a backbone in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. It has been a vital tool in educating the community about the Dos and the Don’ts in these testing times. Many people in the region live in remote and rural areas, with a lack of access to mainstream media and the availability of few newspapers. Community radios in India like Radio Henvalvani, Pasumai Radio, Radio Namaskar, Radio Mattoli and Radio Mewat are a few communities’ radios in India which have been working constantly during the pandemic to deal with and answer the queries of the local population. These radio stations bring in doctors to talk about COVID-19 and inform and educate them about it. They worked towards educating people about the symptoms, necessary precautions and what to do if one contracts the virus.
“The community radio station’s interviews with doctors pushed me to get myself tested for the deadly disease,” said Lakhi, a listener of Radio Henvalvani who now calls the radio to be his “saviour”. For millions of people like him, community radios are playing a relevant and pivotal role in disseminating authentic and verified information about the coronavirus pandemic which causes COVID-19 disease. Community radios have been the vital and, in some places, the only communication channel for the people of these areas since imposition of a nationwide lockdown in March.
Community radios in Bangladesh like Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) worked towards an informative campaign which was focused on prevention as the best way to fight the spread of the virus. They collected information from authentic sources like the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the Government of Bangladesh, UNICEF and the WHO and share the gathered information with the radio stations. “In total 18 radio stations, reaching 6.8 million people, are broadcasting these awareness programmes daily, distributing information about the symptoms of the virus, precautionary steps for preventing contamination, and how to access health service providers. They broadcast in different formats like new bulletins, radio spots, interviews and jingles.” (Free Press Unlimited)
In Afghanistan, which is already struck with its own set of problems, the pandemic added to the suffering of the citizens. However, some have made the most out of this period of crisis. Some citizens have started broadcasting programmes to educate students in the English language and compensate for the loss of studies. In Nepal, World Vision has joined hands with the Government of Nepal in the collective fight against COVID-19. Public Service Announcements on various issues like symptoms of COVID-19, government health services, ways to engage children and continue their learning at home, and ways to identify and report domestic violence and abuse against women and children were the main highlights of the programmes that were broadcast across 77 districts of Nepal. The ripples of the crisis were felt in Pakistan’s education system as well and the community radio came forward to help the students not lose touch with their learning. They started an initiative called Parahi Caro-Na which was a distance learning initiative for students to not let the pandemic hinder its learning process. The initiative ensured quality and equal learning opportunities through their programmes. Lhop Community Radio 91.1 FM is community radio in Bhutan. The radio has been broadcasting information about the comprehensive national response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The radio has also been organizing talk shows in which the speaker talks about positivity and hope during these difficult times. The radio has been helpful in keeping people updated about the cases and preventive measures.
Conclusion
Community radio stations have shown immense courage and commitment towards their work. They have constantly worked towards busting myths about the virus and kept people informed about the developments in their areas. Many people in the region, who had moved out of their place of origin for livelihood, have also come back to their villages. With them, they brought knowledge of technology and the pandemic and some even the virus. Community radio broadcast shows dedicated to these people who had migrated to towns and cities and the steps they should follow while in-home quarantine. The radios have also disseminated news about government schemes which might benefit the community in difficult times like these. They have worked tirelessly to help save lives through education and information dissemination. They have simplified the complex advisories that have been coming from the government and WHO by translating them into regional languages or by using words which are easy to comprehend for the people of their community. Their programmes have helped in preventing the spread of the disease as well as the spread of misinformation and fear and panic. Through this, they have also ensured the debunking of false propaganda. They have made a crucial impact on changing risk behaviour. These radio stations have witnessed a spike in listenership during this pandemic. And for this reason, many governments, NGOs and international organisations have come forward to support them with grants and funds. During this pandemic, community radios have proved to be “People’s Radio” in the true sense.
Akanksha is a PhD student at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
