Learn how to start a community radio station. This step-by-step manual explains how to start, set up, and run a CRS. The Complete Beginner’s Handbook guides you through the policies and guidelines of the government of India for establishing, airing, and running your community radio station. You can join the growing network of radio broadcasters (CRS) in India by submitting a community radio application form. The minimum capital contribution can be Rs. 4,50,000 (INR) for operational expenses, studio setup, and equipment.
submit this community radio application form for a license in order to launch a community radio station (CRS). The next stage is to adhere to the policies and guidelines provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). Apparently, you are ready to tune in and broadcast your station as soon as all license requirements have been satisfied.
What is a Community Radio Station?
A community radio station (CRS) is the third form of broadcast media that is founded on non-commercial or free speech principles. The goal of this FM radio is to strengthen communities in the areas that commercial FM broadcasters usually ignore. This is possible by enabling the participation of communities on the radio to empower them. Thus the content is created by the community, for the community. In essence, community radio stations are low-powered FM radio stations built, started, and run by local communities. Broadcasting the regional voice, skills, and dialects is obviously a concept. Educational institutions, agricultural institutes, and NGOs (non-profit civil society groups) are all eligible to apply for community radio licenses from India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Everyone obviously has to adhere to the policy and guidelines set by the government of India.
Step By Step Guide on How to Start a Community Radio Station in India?
- Getting the (LOI) Letter of Intent for setting up the (CRS) Community Radio Station
If you want to start a community radio station, you must fill & submit the community radio application form to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the prescribed format for the issuance of a letter of intent for the establishment of a community radio station in India. The application fee is Rs.2500/-, which must be paid to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting via the Bharatkosh Portal of the Government of India.
- The frequency allotment to WPC
The applicant must submit an online application in the prescribed format to the Wireless Planning Commission (WPC) of the Ministry of Telecommunication for the frequency allotment for the proposed community radio station. Following your submission of hard copies of the application to WPC, they will issue an LOI for you to obtain the frequency. They will also inform you that you must pay Rs. 23500/-in spectrum charges for the frequency in order to start your community radio station in India.
- Paying spectrum charges & getting the decision letter
When you submit the spectrum charges to WPC via the Government of India’s Bharat Kosh portal, they (WPC) will issue you a Decision Letter (Frequency Allotment Letter), also known as a LOI for the frequency.
- Online Application for the SACFA clearance
After receiving the WPC LOI or Decision letter, the applicant must submit an online application to the Ministry of Telecommunication in the prescribed format for SACFA clearance for your proposal to start your community radio station. After you submit hard copies of your application to WPC, they will issue you a SACFA Clearance letter. The WPC Application Fee for SACFA is Rs.1000/-, payable through the Bharatkosh Portal.
- The GOPA Agreement
The final license agreement is known as GOPA—the GRANT OF PERMISSION AGREEMENT, and it must be understood that it is sanctioned by the Deputy Director, MIB. The agreement is made between the grantor and the permit holder. The grantor is the President of India, acting Deputy Director (CRS), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
To start or create, broadcast, and operate a Community radio station, the permit holder must apply under the Policy Guidelines for Setting Up Community Radio Stations in India. You can download a PDF copy of the policy guidelines here.
The applicant must submit the required documents in order to apply for the GOPA Agreement and begin broadcasting on a community radio station (India). Along with the GOPA agreement, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must receive a bank guarantee in the amount of Rs. 25000/-for a period of five years. - The Final Step-Getting the Wireless Operating License
This is the last step in the licensing process for your community radio station (CRS). Following this procedure, you can immediately begin broadcasting your community radio station on the assigned frequency. CRS frequencies include 90.8 FM, 90.4 FM, 91.2 FM, and so on.
Before applying for a Wireless Operating License or filling out this specific application form, you must select the name of the dealer or OEM for your transmission equipment purchase. You must submit the transmission equipment invoice as well as the equipment provider’s Dealer Possession License (also known as DPL Holder). WPC will issue you a Wireless Operating License after you submit the necessary documents for the application for the wireless operating license for the proposed community radio station.
As a result, you can finally launch your community radio station in India.
Policy Guidelines in Setting up a Community Radio Station (CRS)- India
The detailed guide with policies and guidelines specified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for setting up and broadcasting a community radio station in India is provided below. All of the points are the result of an in-depth examination of the policy guidelines available on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website.
Detailed Policy Guidelines for Setting up Community Radio Stations in India
- nitially, permission is granted on a non-exclusive basis for a period of five (5) years to establish, maintain, and operate a community radio station in India. The Permission is non-transferable. The Permission Holder shall not, either directly or indirectly, assign or transfer its rights to any other party. Any violation will almost certainly result in the license being revoked.
- The Permission holder must keep the bank guarantee in favor of the Grantor valid for a sum of Rs.25,000/-. The Permission holder is not eligible for more than one Permission to operate a Community Radio Station in India in one or more locations. However, Central/State Universities with more than one campus, including autonomous bodies and Agricultural Universities established under them, may be allowed to operate CRS at more than one location, provided that the distance between two CR Stations established by the same organization is not less than 25 kilometers.
- The permit holder’s CRS should be designed to serve a specific and well-defined local community.
- The broadcaster must ensure that the members of the community that the CRS seeks to serve are adequately represented in the CRS’s ownership and management structure at all times during the validity of the permission..
- The GOPA shall be renewed for a period of five (5) years at a time. The first extension will be granted based on an application and verification of compliance with the permission’s terms and conditions. The application for extension must be submitted in the fourth year of operation.
- The continuous operation of a Community Radio Station in India by the permit holder for ten (10) years will be treated as a ground for the second extension, i.e., beyond ten (10) years. CRS should apply for an extension of permission one year before the expiration of the current permission period.
Broadcasting of the Content & Regulations
- The programs should be of quick community benefit. Development, agricultural, health, educational, environmental, social welfare, community development, and cultural programs should be prioritized. The programming should reflect the special interests and needs of the audience. the needs of the local community.
- At least half of the content (50%) must be created with the help of the local community, for which the station was created.
iii) Programs should preferably be in the local language and dialect (s). - The permit holder is required to follow the provisions of the All-India Radio Programme and Advertising Code.
- The applicant, with permission, shall not broadcast any news or current affairs-related or otherwise political programs. Community radio stations in India, on the other hand, can broadcast news and current affairs content exclusively sourced from All India Radio (AIR) in its original form or translated into the local language/dialect. AIR will provide its news to CRS at no cost. It will be the CRS permission holder’s responsibility to ensure that the news is not distorted or edited during translation..
FAQs
Can an NGO set up a community radio station in India?
Yes, NGOs are eligible to set up community radio stations in India. The government of India has established guidelines and regulations for the establishment and operation of community radio stations, including eligibility criteria for NGOs and other entities interested in setting up such stations.
What are the eligibility criteria for setting up a community radio station by an NGO in India?
- Being registered as a society or trust under the relevant laws.
- Having a non-profit motive and demonstrating a commitment to serving the local community.
- Ensuring that the proposed radio station’s coverage area does not overlap significantly with existing radio stations.
- Meeting technical requirements and having adequate infrastructure for broadcasting.
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