COMMUNITY RADIO

Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting This is radio owned and operated by a community or members of a community. It can be supported by the State, individuals or corporates or even international bodies. The central purpose for this radio is to offer the people a voice and help develop the community. A radio station is recognized as ‘community radio’ when the station is owned by a non-profit group or by a co-operative whose members are the listeners themselves. The purpose – therefore the name – is to build community life.
WHO CAN USE IT?
Under the new (2006) community radio policy, any not-for-profit ‘legal entity’ – except individuals, political parties and their affiliates, criminal and banned organizations – can apply for a CR license. Only organizations that are registered for a minimum of three years old and with a ‘proven’ track record of local community service can apply.