Background
Community Radio Stations (CRS) have been around in India for the past 15 years comprising radio broadcasting stations in communities with a range of approximately 10-15 kms radius. Policy Guidelines of the ministry of Information and Broadcasting define the standards, ownership, and regulations for CRS.

On an average each CRS covers a population of approx. 2.5 lacs, although many in Maharashtra are located in the center of towns and covers significantly more population.

The Community Radio Compendium 2019 of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting lists a total of 185 operational CRS in the country as of July 2019. Of these 26 are listed in Maharashtra.

CRS The study was conducted by an external agency amongst 19 CRS including 8 each A study was commissioned by the Ministry of I&B in 2018 to gauge listenership, KAP towards of EDU and NGO managed CRS and 3 whose functions was primarily agriculture related. To know more click here:

CRS are mainly owned by 3 types of institutions:
• Educational Institute
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra
• NGO or Non-profit organization

Figure 1 Map of CRS in Maharashtra

SBC3 conducted a survey (google form) with 25 of the 26 CRS in Maharashtra. The survey covered hours of broadcast, days, types of programs, target audience, feed back method etc. Find some of the finding below:

Figure 2 Coverage radius (31 responses)

Figure 3 Audience feedback Method (31 responses)

Figure 4 Primary Target Audience (31 responses)

Figure 5 List Community issues for which CR program can be used (31 responses)

Figure 6 List Groups who have been involved in Radio Programs

22 of the 26 CRS agreed to broadcast 40 programs throughout the span of 2 months. Find the list below:

These programs are re-broadcast in the same week. SBC³ with the support of UNICEF produce 4 types of programs which have been airing on the above mentioned since 15^th August 2020.

The 4 programs include:
Community Radio Stations broadcast programs that are relevant to audiences within a small radius and are not seen as commercial radio stations. In order to ensure that we present social issues and their resolution we opted for a mix of formats: a radio play of 10 mins to  address issues using a emotive  family drama format; an rational viewpoint via interviews of subject experts ( Covid, Nutrition, RMNCHA, WASH, MHM, Child Protection, Ending Violence against Children, Child Marriage, Role of PRIs,)  ; a radio magazine format to address mental health issues ( stress, anxiety, depression, exam phobias, suicide, online issues, etc) including professional advice for listeners issues; and finally an program to engage listeners by having experts answer their queries recorded on a dedicated mobile number and email id.

10 episodes of 10 minutes each featuring a radio skit titled ‘Amchi Urmila‘. This is built around a feisty but loved female, Urmila, a school teacher. Each episode features social issues and solutions in an entertaining format. Scheduled over all CRS every Sunday. Repeat broadcast every Thursday

10 episodes of 30 minutes titled ‘Dnyan Abhiyan’. In each episode experts are interviewed on nutrition, RMNCHA, immunisation, Covid-19, WASH, MHM, Ending Child Marriage, Child Protection, Education and role of Gram panchayats. Scheduled over all CRS every Monday. Repeat broadcast every Friday.

10 episodes of 30 minutes each titled ‘Manachya Goshti“- radio magazine format addressing all issues of mental health with two experts on mental health and a section where listener’s issues will be directly responded to by the experts. Scheduled over all CRS every. Repeat broadcast every Saturday

10 episodes of 30 minutes each titled ‘Prashna Pratyekanche’ which features answers from experts to listeners who call in/write in with questions. Scheduled over all CRS every Wednesday. Repeat broadcast every Sunday.

The above mentioned programs are produced by SBC³  with their audio visual production partners Cancom. They have also done the Sakshyum film and are sensitised and oriented to our work with UNICEF.

Click on each episode to listen to the program :

CRS Competition Details: Life and Radio in the Times of COVID-19
Post the workshop SBC³ met with CRS multiple times. A meeting was held to explain to CRS the process and requirements which would need to be followed while participating in the Competition.

Another meeting was held to explain the Entry form’s terms and conditions to all CRS. CRS then gave their inputs and the entry form was altered on a mutual understanding.

Unfortunately, due to COVID 19, two of the 22 CRS could not commit to participating in the competition.

The Competition commences w.e.f. August 10, 2020 and should conclude by October 2, 2020. This means the participating CRS must commence their programs any day either from or after August 10, 2020 and close all aspects of the Programmes conducted by them before [Oct 10, 2020]. CRS were invited to participate in a competition of local mobilization of social issues.

Each CRS must conduct a program/campaign /competition consisting of:
A local event/competition among target audience comprising listeners.
Broadcast a minimum of 3 episodes of radio program.

Theme of the Programs: A CRS may select any two of the following themes for the Program (i.e. local events and for broadcasting), which two themes should be used for both local events and for radio broadcasting:
• WASH message for safety from Coronavirus: Hand wash, Mask, Physical distancing, Public hygiene;
• Domestic Violence and abuse;
• Maternal and Infant health, immunization;
• Mental health;
• Physical and Mental fitness and nutrition to build immunity;
• Covid-19;
• Stigma and discrimination due to Covid-19; and
• Education during pandemic.

Participation in Programs: Each CRS must conduct a local event in the community based on the selected themes in accordance with Section 3.4.2 above. The local event must be a competition with entries from all citizens. There should be the following segments of participants for the Programs:
Audience participation: four subgroups:
Youth: Junior level: 10- 12 years
Adolescent level: over 12 years to 15 years
Youth level: over 15 years up to 19 years
Influencer group participation: One single group consisting of ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, SHGs, panchayats, school teachers.
20 of the 22 CRS agreed to participate in this competition.

The programs are promoted through CRS and SBC3 social media pages. It is also promoted through WhatsApp. Find the different posts shared below. Till date 19 programs have been broadcast. SBC3 also conducts fortnightly meetings with each CRS to take updates on the competition. There is a designated mobile number and email id for listeners feedback and questions.
• Mobile No: 9819868119
• Email: [email protected]