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COMMUNITY RADIO FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Dr. Ankuran DuttaAssociate Prof. & Head, Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University

Managing Trustee, Dr. Anamika Ray Memorial Trust

this presentation is dedicated to DR ANAMIKA RAY

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UNDERSTANDING MEDIA

Understanding Community Media Defining Community

Commons+ Unity (Definition of Dr. Anamika Ray)

Types of Community Media Community Newspaper Community Radio Community Video Community Television

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UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY MEDIA

“Community media are characterized by their accountability to the communities they serve. They emerge as a result of popular movements that strive to attain an important space in citizen participation and demand the right to own and operate free from political or commercial interference.”- UNESCO

Community media is one that is operated:• in the community,

• for the community,

• about the community and

• by the community.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/media-development/community-media/

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NOMENCLATURE • Counter-information media (Baldelli 1972)

• Independent media (Herman and Chomsky 1988)

• Citizens’ media (Rodriguez 2001)

• Tactical media (Lovink 2002)

• Participatory media (Servaes 2005)

• Community media (Rennie 2006)

• Social movement media (Downing 2008)

• Third Sector media (European Parliament 2008)

• Nano-media (Downing 2010)

• Alternative media

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“DOLPHIN” CHARACTERISTICS OF CM

Direct: Rapport is direct Own media and ownership with community Local media: Global concept – Local communication; localized

message and language Participatory media and Personal: Participatory in nature and the

appeal is at personal and intimate level Horizontal Form: Horizontal and two way communication Immediate, Intimate , Impact (Impact is much deeper),

Interference is less (Free from political or commercial interference), Community media is for all, irrespective of diversity

Not for Profit and No threat of cultural colonialism and foreign ideological domination

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COMMUNITY RADIO 5 points to define community radio-

Community-based (location, ownership and control); Independent (not relational but on the influence and transparency); Not-for-profit (but for sustenance), For the community (social, economic and cultural benefits of the community); and Participatory (at all levels of programming, operation and finance).

Bruce Girard (2007)

Definition Community radio is primarily a low power FM broadcasting service

owned, controlled, managed and run by a particular community with a non profit motive for providing and sharing information, education and entertainment which may lead to eradicate digital divide, address identity crisis, remove socio-economic hindrance, promote local culture and resolve local issues resulting in overall development of a community (By- Ankuran Dutta & Anamika Ray).

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STATUS OF COMMUNITY RADIO

South Asia India Assam

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CR AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT Community Radio plays a very important role

in the community during a disaster by providing them information on the preventive methods to be taken during a disaster-

Dr Satendra, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management*

In the Bangalore Declaration community radios have committed to provide localized emergency news, disaster recovery, relief, rehabilitation, and sustainable alternatives as well as create a space for trauma healing and reaffirming faith in the face of adversity

*http://crfc.in/community-radio-for-disaster-risk-reduction/

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IN JAPAN

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IN UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

The role of community radio is tremendous in natural calamities. A public radio station with a reach of 15-20km becomes highly powerful with the integration of mobile telephony in real time. The region, brutalized by floods, has only three community radios running—Kumaon Vani (Mukteshwar), Henvalvani (Chamba Valley) and Mandakini Ki Awaz (Rudraprayag). These radio stations have been broadcasting live programmes that inform and sensitize communities and tried to reach all flood-affected families.*

*http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/DaNUP0lpIPqbXmlmhawaJI/Uttarakhand-crisis-underlines-community-radios-importance.html

Uttarakhand Disaster 2013

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IN BANGLADESH

•Six Community Radio Stations operated in coastal region of Bangladesh are now continuously working to address the upcoming cyclone “Mahasen”. Information are being provided to the community regarding preparedness for saving their lives, cattles and assets by 435 staffs and volunteers and 24,102 listener members of listeners clubs around the radio stations- http://www.bnnrc.net

•Monu Mia is no stranger to cyclones, “I have survived several cyclones, but the memory of losing my family in a cyclone stays with me”.**http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/ourstories/on-the-air-out-of-danger-in-bangladesh.html

Mahasen 2013

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IN NEPAL

"The local information system collapsed. We saw that communities needed to have their community stations back on air so we did a needs assessment and restarted as many stations as possible. We broadcast special programs to help people after the earthquake. We literally broadcast from the field, there were no buildings. We broadcast from tents and the open air”*

- RC Lamichhane, Executive Director, ACORAB

*http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/community-radio-stations-lifeline-after-nepal-earthquake

Nepal Earth quake 2015

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RECOMMANDATIONS Using blended approach Organising the communities to plan, implement and monitor the disaster

management strategies through CR. Programmes on disaster preparedness Facilitating relief, rehabilitation and restoration initiatives through CR. Advocating through CR for appropriate technology for prevention and

rehabilitation. Building capacity of the local communities to cope up with the disasters using

different Radio Formats. Training on disaster management, particularly on coordinating relief activity and information updates for radio staff.

Importance of community-based disaster response Need to develop a handbook/manual on different aspects of disaster

management through CR Dispel rumours and myths on disasters though CR formats like drama, feature. Trauma healing programmes through CR Help establish links with relevant government offices and NGOs Create disaster management network

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Contact

ankurandutta@gmail.com

www.comcomm.org

Ph- 91-9910115696