Opportunities and difficulties in Sri Lankan Community radio for empowering the Rural
Introduction
It has been noted that the efforts to establish constructive Community radio stations have almost reached 3 decades.7 Community radio stations have been set up so far , with the first one was inaugurated in 1986.Some of these have vanished on the same speed on which it was started. Some of them are almost at the latter part of their journey. Some of them have converted themselves into an income earning centers.
Hiranthuru kotte ( 1986 ) , Bulthsi-ravaya, Kotmale ( 1991 ), Uva Community radio ( 2003 ), Pirai FM ( 2005 ) ,Dambatheniya Community Radio ( 2007 ), Ran-sara web Community Radio ( 2008 ),Wayamba Community Radio ( 2009 )are some of the Community based radio stations which are in operation now.
Allegation
The people who have initiated these Community Radio services are conflicting with each other regarding the main objectives which are met so far. Therefore, the attention of some foreign intellectuals has been drawn into this issue. The Government has not taken any clear stand in this regard. The people who fund these projects do not understand the real impact of the Community Radio stations. This has raised the question on how the development of the Sri Lankan villagers possible through Community Radio stations?
Common Features
Introduction
It has been noted that the efforts to establish constructive Community radio stations have almost reached 3 decades.7 Community radio stations have been set up so far , with the first one was inaugurated in 1986.Some of these have vanished on the same speed on which it was started. Some of them are almost at the latter part of their journey. Some of them have converted themselves into an income earning centers.
Hiranthuru kotte ( 1986 ) , Bulthsi-ravaya, Kotmale ( 1991 ), Uva Community radio ( 2003 ), Pirai FM ( 2005 ) ,Dambatheniya Community Radio ( 2007 ), Ran-sara web Community Radio ( 2008 ),Wayamba Community Radio ( 2009 )are some of the Community based radio stations which are in operation now.
Allegation
The people who have initiated these Community Radio services are conflicting with each other regarding the main objectives which are met so far. Therefore, the attention of some foreign intellectuals has been drawn into this issue. The Government has not taken any clear stand in this regard. The people who fund these projects do not understand the real impact of the Community Radio stations. This has raised the question on how the development of the Sri Lankan villagers possible through Community Radio stations?
Common Features
At present there are only 2 web based Community radio stations in operation. One of these, terminates its broadcasting at 6.00PM.This has been the debated point up to now. The other radio station does not have a definite time of broadcasting. Anybody can download the program at any time and listen. The radio stations such as Pirai FM have been converted to a commercial radio. Even the community programs will not be broadcast without any sponsors. Community Radio stations except Uva radio, do not broadcast community development programs at least half of the total broadcast time.
In srilanka, it is observed that, the broadcast time allocated for minorities in Community radio stations are not satisfactory. Many programs show that the producers do not have the potential and determination to produce programs with alternative views & comments.
Challenges
Many Community Radio stations which are initiated go against the basic concepts of the Community radio station. Mahaveli radio station could be quoted as one prime example. Many of these were inaugurated with short term objectives, political and development plans. It is a curse for the Community Radio station to depend solely on Sri Lanka broadcasting corporation for everything. Regional radio stations depend on Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for purchase of equipments and salary payments.
The Ransara - Web based community radio still producing the program in order to create awareness on government army on their war effort. Also, there are not even a single program is been broadcasted based on Community in Ran – sara Community radio. Most of the youngsters believe that broadcasting is an art which can focus only Local politics, war related news with the mixture of entertainment as sriLankan broadcasting culture become highly politicalised.
Government doesn’t have clear policy in allocating frequencies for the community radios. Hence, the intention of the government is that free community radios may become negative challenge for the existence of the government. Although some community radios function, they obviously function in satisfying the government agenda.
it is important to think, there are no Collective efforts in the past to make awareness on community radio and express the alternative Voices on the rigid policy of the government.
The founder members of the community radios in srilanka such as Thilak Jayawardana, Sunil rodrogo, Ajith jayasingha, Vijeydasa hevage, sunil vijeysinghe are really become frustrated on the continues failure on in empowering the community radio.
Proposals
Identifying the strategies for the sustainability of the Community radio, Stressing the government policy with some collective effort, Listing the failure elements of the Present Community radios and finding out the reasons, Improving people participation, adding at least minimum some units on CR in the media syllabus, Plan full training and research are some proposals to short come this issue.
