How community radio is poised to make waves in India
Industry experts share their hopes for community radio as a medium that will bridge the communication gap and give a voice to local communities, shaping India’s media landscape in the years to come
In a nation as diverse and populous as India, community radio is emerging as a powerful medium, amplifying the voices of local communities often overlooked by mainstream media.
A platform for grassroots-level engagement, radio also gives a voice to regional languages, cultures, and stories while addressing hyperlocal issues like agriculture, health, education, and women’s empowerment.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has in recent years taken several proactive steps enabling ease of doing business in the sector by making a complete online process for submission of applications.
This has resulted in an increase in the number of Community Radio Stations (CRS) to 481 out of which 155 were added in the last two years. In the last 9 years, the sector has grown substantially and the number of CRS has increased from 140 in 2014 to 481 in 2023, as per Press Information Bureau’s data.
