Community media are a key ingredient of any pluralistic media ecology. As an alternative medium to public and commercial media, they occupy an important space in citizen participation. These isolated examples of the social impact of community media, when interwoven with similar illustrations from other parts of the world, reinforce their significance as an alternative form of communication. This book will be a useful reference to community media practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, community organizers, and other media development stakeholders.
The report, Climate Airwaves: Community Radio, Action Research, and Advocacy for Climate Justice in Ghana, suggests that, with long-term investment by donors and governments, locally-run community radio stations can conduct ‘action research’ that creates a platform for at-risk villages and towns to get their governments to listen to their needs and ideas. The research is published in the International Journal of Communication.
Information and communications technology (ICT) can potentially play a pivotal role in disaster prevention, mitigation and management. ICT encompasses both traditional media (radio, television) as well as new media (cell broadcasting, Internet, satellite radio), all of which can play a major role in educating the public on the risks of a potential or impending disaster. This e-primer also looks at the role of Community Radio Stations and Amateur Radio in disaster risk reduction and compares its utility with other ICT tools.
The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 is a law that governs the use of telegraphy, phones, communication, radio, telex and fax in India. It gives the Government of India exclusive privileges of establishing, maintaining and working telegraphs. It also authorises the government to tap phone lines under appropriate conditions. The latest amendment was done in 2003.
A Report on National Consultation on Community Radio Policy assesses the on-ground situation of community radio sector in the country through an analysis of Community voices and good practices. It aims to define the strengths and weaknesses of the CR policy in facilitating an enabling environment for Community Radio in India. It also works out a plan to plug gaps in capacity building as well as in technological prowess of NGOs and CBOs to set up Community Radio Stations.
The All India Radio Code on advertising and programming is to be followed while producing radio programmes for the Community Radio. The standards of conduct are laid down by the All India Radio (Public Service Broadcaster in India) in order to develop and promote healthy advertising practices. This code will act as a guide on advertising rules, ethics and standards to be adhered by the advertisers, advertising agencies and the radio station. The standards laid down here should be treated as minimum standards of acceptability.
This reference module on Behaviour Change Communication reviews techniques involved in effective communication with clients and patients. Behaviour Change Communication is very significant as it is a systematic attempt to modify or influence behaviour, or practices and environmental factors related to that behaviour, which indirectly or directly promote health, prevent illness or protect individuals from harm. Module also talks about various types of communication and its elements.
