Scaling down: local radio in India
Anjaneyulu, K.
Development Communication Report 64: 1-2
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0192-1312 PMID: 12282227 Document Number: 363036
All India Radio (AIR) is one of the world's largest national radio networks. In the past 5 years, AIR has been experimenting with the idea of local radio stations. The governmental view of local radio is one that supports the idea of a close association with the hub of the community. It also believes that the radio station should act as a "mouthpiece" of the community. A large number of local programs are field-based. Access programs, service programs, and specific programs concerning family welfare, national integration, communal harmony and others relevant to the local broadcast area are produced. Community service broadcasts, the role of a local station as a mediator between local factions and access programs are further discussed. The experiences and development of the 1st local station at Nagercoil in the southern Indian state of Tamilnadu is discussed in detail. The greatest attribute of local radio is that it works directly with and is often directly controlled by the people it is designed to serve.