ISSN 0975-217X

Community Radio Stations: Policy,

Participation and Engagement in
Odisha
Sudarsan Sahoo*
Prof. Sunil Kant Behera**

Abstract
Public policy is meant to maintain order or address the needs of
citizens under the provisions of the Constitution. If policies are pro-
people and properly implemented, they may prove beneficial, else
they end as counterproductive. However, effective communication is a
must to achieve the goal of a policy. In the Indian context, the
administration faces difficulties to address the communication needs
of a diversified population. When it comes to a poorly-developed state
like Odisha, the challenges are multiplied. Community Radio Stations
in the state, still a few in numbers, tried to bridge the communication
gap created due to drastic disparities and distracted mainstream media.
They promoted pro-people policies and at the same time also raised
their voice against faults in the policies. This paper is based on collected
data from secondary sources and intensive interviews with persons
involved in community radio movement in Odisha.
Introduction
If a pregnant woman experiences labor pain, she would be
immediately sent to a nearby hospital availing the free ambulance service.
She also receives the medical care, monetary help and some other
benefits even if she belongs to a very poor family of a remote non-
* Guest Faculty, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication,
Berhampur University, Berhampur, Odisha
** Professor of Eminence, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism,
Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam.
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Community Radio Stations: Policy, Participation...

descript village. It is possible only because the government has

implemented several public policies for development of women and
children inour country. The elected representatives, bureaucrats and
intellectuals have spent countless hours in crafting the public policies
that outline how the service providers should serve and how the
beneficiaries can take the advantages. Elected representatives, basically
the government ministers, articulate the policy while the non-elected
officials i.e. the bureaucrats implement the policy through programmes.
Intellectuals criticize and provide feedback to furnish a policy.
It is commonly understood that a public policy is based on
what the government wants to do or not to do. In other way, it is a
decision made by government to either act, or not act, in order to
resolve a problem.1On the other hand, the government is expected
to deliver large number of social good for growth, stability and
development of the society through public policies. So, public policy
comprises both the intent of the government and its wherewithal to
execute.2More elaborately, public policy is a course of action dealing
with clusters of interlinked and long-term problems. The government
becomes accountable before the citizens through public policy. The
term public policy often describes a collection of laws, mandates or
regulations established through a political process.3Hence, public
policy is the broad framework of ideas and values within which
decisions are taken and action or inaction is pursued by governments
in relation to some issue or problem.4 In brief, public policy is a
choice or decision made by government that guides subsequent
actions in similar circumstances.
Public policy and challenges
Can public policy bring up change and substantiate development
process? The answer will be both yes and no. It is yes, if the policies
are pro-people with a long-term vision and they are implemented in a
proper way. The answer will be no, if the policies are wrong. Those
may be proved counter-productive.5At least three key elements identify
a proper public policy. The first element is that the policy should have
a problem definition. Secondly, it should identify the goals. Lastly, it
should have policy instruments like expenditures, regulations,
exchange of information, taxation, subsidy etc.to address the problem
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 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

and achieve the goals.6 Formulation of policy is not an easy process.

It is reviewed and processed again and again to be a competent one.
Some key phases of the cycle which result in public policy are (1)
problem surfaces dragging attention of public and decision makers,
(2) government takes the problem in its agenda for finding a solution,
(3) consideration of various alternatives to address the problem, (4)
adoption of policy, and (5) policy implementation and evaluation.
The policy cycle involves a number of key players who can be
otherwise called actors.Most of the time, the government is thought
to be the sole entity in the public policy formation and implementation.
No doubt, government has the ultimate decision making and financial
authority. But the existence of other actors like individuals, institutions
and agencies in a network cannot be ruled out. Let’s identify the
actors and their role.
♦ Government: Decision making, financial authority, power of
coercion
♦ Bureaucrats: Technical outlook and policy suggestions,
rendering service
♦ Political Outfits: Political support and critical appraisal
♦ Media: Disseminating information to public, instrumental in
shaping public opinion
♦ Interest or Pressure Groups: Put pressure on policy network to
consider their interest
♦ Legal System: Law interpretation, action suomoto
♦ Public: Forming opinion, responding to media information,
joining interest groups
Among other players, media plays an important role in formation
and implementation of public policy as it disseminates information
to public. It is also instrumental in shaping public opinion for or against
the public policy. From another perspective, media also arouses a
longing within the dwellers to derive benefits of the public policy.
Thus, it can be said that effective communication is a dire
necessity for the successful implementation of public policy for
sustainable development. But effective communication has still
remained elusive in less developed countries like India. In Indian

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Community Radio Stations: Policy, Participation...

context, the government faces a lot of difficulties to address the

communication needs of a diversified population who have different
types of disparities. When it comes to a poorly-developed state like
Odisha, the challenges are multiplied. It is said that development
originates in regions where resources are abundant. But the irony is
Odisha, rich in natural resources, is a poor state, while Maharashtra,
possessing poor resources, is a rich state7. Odisha is ranked third
in terms of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the country. Though
the overall literacy rate (72.9 per cent) in Odisha is at par with the
national average (73 per cent), there is high difference between
districts. While Khorda district is highly literate with 86.88 per cent,
Nabarangpur is inflicted with very low literacy rate of 46.43 per cent.8
The state is also vulnerable to natural calamities like drought, floods
and cyclones. Despite having 11 per cent of country’s water resources,
millions of people in Odisha face severe water shortage both for
drinking and irrigation. Poverty coupled with disparity in society many
times fanned the fire of social tensions leading to class conflicts and
ultimately bringing anarchy. Due to these drastic disparities and the
distracted mainstream media, a large section of population in Odisha
hasfallen victim to the communication gap.
Besides, public policy-making in our country has often failed to
achieve the goals. It happens oftentimes that the policies, instead of
helping the bona fide beneficiaries, boost vested interests. According
to O.P. Agarwal and T.V. Somanathan, policies in India are being
reversed or changed more frequently than warranted by exogenous
changes or new information.9 They suggested that more and more
engagement of the media and civil society at the policy formulation
level can address the issues.
Media and public policy
One may wonder why media will be interested in public policy.
Why it will be concerned in policy conflicts and development issues.
It has three basic possible reasons.10
♦ Media stands with its philanthropic status and do-gooder role
♦ Media owes responsibility towards the society as a product of it
♦ Media, as a business venture, makes people (stakeholder)
capable enough to contribute to its business
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 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

Over the years, media is usually considered to be truthful,

trusted, unbiased, knowledgeable and faithful. It is perceived that
media has basic human values along with social responsibilities. Its
prime asset is credibility.11 In fact, the power of media is proportional
on these perceptions. Then, media needs to be philanthropic and
altruistic in order to retain its power. If poverty is a problem and
people want to overcome it, media must take a call on the issue. As
the fourth estate, media should take the task to help eradicate poverty.
Media, being a product of the society, has a responsibility
towards it. The society has contributed a lot for the growth of media
and its further security. Since the media has gained from the society
it has an obligation to offer something in return. And it is capable of
offering. Whenever we see a destitute, we help him as per our capacity.
Because we think that if we help him overcome his troubles in a
constructive way, our society will be intact and stronger. Similarly,
reducing poverty helps build stronger communities, more stable
governments and improves the financial conditions.
Media is also a business. In this business venture, people are
stakeholders. Because media earns revenue from advertisement which
is directly proportional to the media content consumption habits of the
people. Therefore, it has a stake in removing poverty of the people.
Improvements in the living standards and income of people would have
significant financial benefits to everyone including the media itself.
As media has its concern in public policy and development, it
plays different roles to filter the process. The most important role the
media plays is of a Watch Dog.12If somebody feels that someone is
watching him, definitely his activities will be polished. Similarly, a
number of social maladies, like corruption, can be deterred due to
vigil by media. The second most important role it plays is of
anInformer. It provides information regarding several issues, facilities
and happenings. Through this accountability, media has become an
Enabler, as it provides exposure to information. Media enables
common people to know and claim their rights. Media creates a
Public Spherewhere experts can share their ideas and suggestions
to address issues. Likewise, media provides a Platform where people
can express their grievances and views, and participate in governance.

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Community Radio Stations: Policy, Participation...

In India, we can find three types of media organisations as per

their coverage. The first type is national media, which covers a larger
portion of the country and highlights issues of national importance.
The second type is state media, which covers comparatively smaller
areas especially a particular state and its adjoining areas. It stresses
on issues concerning the particular state. The third type is local or
community media, which covers a much smaller area involving a
particular locality or community. These local or community media
became the voice of the people who were neglected by the first and
second types of media which are called the mainstream media.
Community media provides not only a bottom-up return path but
also lateral communications within communities of shared interests.
Among other community media, radio is considered as the most
accessible communications tool at grassroots level.Itacquires the
linguistic flexibility by using vernacular languages. It is inexpensive,
has broad coverage, and is battery-powered and no literacy is required
to operate them13. Electricity will not be an issue to run the radio
sets. The technology is also simple and easy so that the listeners
can use it without any hassle. It is also to some extent interactive
with phone-in sessions.14One more very emphatic reason is that
people can listen to radio while they are busy in work or household
activities. This is one of the most powerful advantages that radio has
over television and other visual media.
Community Radio-an effective tool
Community radio has a rich history of challenging dominant
discourses in mainstream media, airing alternative points of view,
amplifying the voices of people who do not otherwise have access to
media production.It puts the tools of communications into the hands
of communities for cultural expression, news and information, views
and dialogue and facilitates the empowerment of local
communities.15It is a type of model radio service beyond commercial
and public service. This type of radio broadcasting serves the
geographic communities and their interests. The broadcasting content
is mostly popular and relevant to a local or specific audience. But
the content is usually undermined or overlooked by the commercial
or mainstream mass media.

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 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

AMARC, the World Association of Community Broadcasters,

describes community radio as:When radio fosters the participation
of citizens and defends their interests; when it reflects the tastes of
the majority and makes good humour and hope its main purpose;
when it truly informs; when it helps resolve the thousand and one
problems of daily life; when all ideas are debated in its programs
and all opinions are respected; when cultural diversity is stimulated
over commercial homogeneity; when women are main players in
communication and not simply a pretty voice or a publicity gimmick;
when no type of dictatorship is tolerated, not even the musical
dictatorship of the big recording studios; when everyone’s words fly
without discrimination or censorship, that is community radio. Radio
stations that bear this name do not fit the logic of money or advertising.
Their purpose is different; their best efforts are put at the disposal of
civil society.” The AMARC again delineates that “the historical
philosophy of community radio is to use this medium as the voice of
the voiceless, the mouthpiece of oppressed people (be it on radial,
gender, or class grounds) and generally as a tool for development.16
Over the years, community radio has proved to be an essential
tool for community development. It is more than just a medium of
broadcasting information. It creates opportunities to further
democratise information and communication channels to enable the
communities to advocate their issues, to tell their stories. It enables
the community dwellers to inform and lobby for their development
needs. In this manner, the community members can put pressure
on the government to address local infrastructure needs or provide
better medical services through contributing to discussions on
constitutional and human rights issues. Moreover, the localised
programmes of the community radio helps the community members
to make connection with policy-makers and challenge the existing
personal, institutional and systematic barriers to their development
and empowerment.17
In addition, it can be said that community Radio acts as a
vehicle of the civil societies, agencies, NGOs and citizens to work in
partnership to formulate proper public policy ultimately promoting
community development.It seeks to counter the hegemony of the

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mainstream media and the negative consequences that globalization

and commercialisation of media and communications has had for
individual and community identity, cultural and linguistic diversity,
civic engagement, political participation and journalism practices.
As a facilitator of democratic participation in social change and a
platform for unheard articulations, borrows its principles and
doctrinesfrom various popular people’s movements for social justice
and equitable access to media and communication resources.18
Community radio stations in India
The policy guidelines for setting up community radio stations in
India were passed by parliament in 2006. It came after a landmark
judgement by the Supreme Court in February 1995 that declared
‘airwaves are public property’. Earlier, pioneering organisations such
as Voices and Drishti Media had introduced the concept of
narrowcasting to circumvent the policy restrictions. These organisations
worked with non-government organisations in Karnatak and Gujarat to
train rural community reporters to produce several people-centric
development-oriented audio programmes just like the programmes
made by radio stations. The programmes were being played in common
community meeting points such as market places, near temples, or
within ‘listener groups’ of women working together in self-help groups.
The success of these experimental set-ups in empowering the
communities prompted enterprising activists from other organisations
to lobby for a policy change to get permission for radio broadcast.
Their efforts got rewarded in 2006 as the government passed the policy
guidelines for establishing community radio on November 16.19
The policy guidelines suggest that the community radio stations
(CRSs) can be set up by non-profit agencies, civil society
organisations, public trusts, academic institutions, universities, ICAR
institutes and KrishiVigyanKendras (Government of India, 2006). They
need to involve local communities in the content production process.
These radio stations are expected to produce at least 50 per cent of
their programmes for local community by using local language or
dialect to the maximum extent. Therefore, the prime focus would be
on developmental programming, though there is no clear restriction
on entertainment.
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 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

The country’s first campus radio became operational on 1

February 2004 at Anna University, Chennai. However, given the low
power of the radio station in the heart of Chennai, it was clear that
the major share of benefits would be availed by students rather than
farmers, women and the poor.20 Anna FM, the first campus radio of
India operates as a training site for media students at the Anna
University and also offers access to members of the community in
areas where it broadcasts as a democratic means of participatory
communication.21 The first community-based radio station in India
was licensed to ‘Sangham Radio’ by Deccan Development Society
(DDS), an NGO that was completely separate from campus-based
radio and was launched on October 15, 2008.
These CRSs transformed the dominant public sphere and laid
the ground for a more complete societal transformation. However,
these CRSs have a long way to go before they can produce any
tangible results in terms of sustainable goals of social change
(Pavarala& Malik, 2007). After the policy guideline of 2006, the number
of CRSs has increased. However, most of them are confined to
educational institutions (Dash, 2015a). CRSs of educational
institutions are sandwiched between the campus community and
greater community beyond the campus (Dash, 2015b). There are
about 196 CRSs in India as on November 11, 2015, out of which 10
are in Odisha22.
Community radio stations in Odisha

Sl Name of the CRS Parent OrganisationDistrict Type Frequency

1 Radio Namaskar Young India Puri NGO 90.4
2 Radio Muskan DISA Kandhamala NGO 90.4
3 Radio Kissan AID Khordha NGO 90.8
4 Radio Sanskar Sourabha Jagatsinghpur NGO 91.2
5 Voice of SOA SOA University Khordha University 90.4
6 Ravenshaw Radio Ravenshaw UniversityCuttack University 90.4
7 Radio Dhimsa SOVA Koraput NGO 90.4
8 Radio Surabhi IIEC Nayagarh NGO 90.4
9 Radio Swaymshakti SRUSTI Nuapada NGO 90.4
10 Radio Bulbul DISHA Bhadrak NGO 91.2

Table 1: Functional CRSs in Odisha

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Community Radio Stations: Policy, Participation...

There are 10 functional CRSs in Odisha, whereas 35

organisations hold Letter of Intent (LoI). CRS movement is in a nascent
stage in Odisha as there are applications only from 19 districts of
the state. There have been no applications from backward districts
like Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj and Rayagada districts.
The functional CRSs are given in Table 1.
It clearly reveals that out of 10 CRSs, seven are set up in coastal
districts like Bhadrak, undivided Cuttack and Puri districts. The other
three are in Kandhamal, Koraput and Nuapada districts respectively.
However, out of ten CRSs, two are owned by universities and eight
are owned by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). As NGOs
are more grounded in the communities than the universities, there is
wider scope to work on development of the communities.
Success stories
Radio Namaskar, first NGO-based community radio service in
Odisha, initiated a campaign “Chala School Ku Jiba” (Let us go to
school) programme in Konark area of Puri district. It aired several
talks on the benefits of education in life. The motto of the programme
was to create awareness among parents and guardians to send
their children to school. Meanwhile, Young India, the parent
organisation of community radio, adopted 15 villages as intensive
villages for this purpose and in course of time, the dropout students
of 15 schools in these villages returned to school. In the impact of
the campaign, the dropout students of other 150 schools in the nearby
areas also came back to school. Later, the government authorities
concerned also declared the villages adjoining these 165 schools as
Zero Dropout Zone.
Similarly, the benefit of SarvaSikhyaAbhiyan (SSA) was a
distant dream in Tailo village of KaduaNuagaonPanchayat under
Kakatpur block in Puri district as there was neither a primary school
nor an Anganwadi centre within a radius of two kilometres. The motto
of SarvaSikhyaAbhiyan i.e. ‘Education to All’ had no meaning for the
students of the locality. Most of the villagers were daily labourers. It
was really a difficult task for the villagers in managing to send their
children for study to far-off schools. Out of 266 children of 44 families
in the village, at least 51 children were of school-going age. As many
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 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

as 25 of them had unrolled at the nearby schools in the locality,

while the rest were regularly irregular in attending classes due to
distance between the school and their homes. It was found that 16
children were not getting any benefit from the nearby Anganwadi
centre while six more had unrolled in due course. A demand to
establish a school in the village was put up before the administration,
but it had fallen on deaf ears. However, Radio Namaskar took up the
matter and broadcast the information repeatedly until the
administration declared a new project school for the village. The school
was made functional on May 24, 2010.
The Right to Education (RTE) Act had been just a farce for Dalit
girl Swarnabefore she was admitted to a school after the intervention
by Radio Namaskar. Swarna, a seven year old girl, was staying with
her mother Rita Mati and a three-year-old brother in a hut at Kusupur
Bazar in Gop block of Odisha. She was not allowed to take admission
in any school in the locality, as her mother failed to produce a birth
certificate and other credentials. Radio Namaskar took up the case
and aired special programme on the girl. After the case was brought
to the notice of the local administration through the programme, the
Block Resources Centre Coordinator (BRCC) directed the officials
concerned to take steps immediately for the admission of the girl.
Within few days, Swarna was admitted toBrajabandhu Nodal Primary
School at Kusupur. Similarly,MeetaraniMallick, seven-year daughter
of JatadhariMallick of Anasara village under Gop block in Puri district
was denied admission by the headmaster of a nearby school on the
plea of non-availability of birth certificate. This case was broadcast
by Radio Namaskar with reference to RTE Act. She got admission
after intervention by the BRCC.
The government has launched ‘Mo Pokhari’ scheme which is
integrated with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee (MGNREGS) scheme. However, the farmers in Gop Block
in Puri district of Odishadid not apply for digging ponds under the
scheme in spite of repeated communications by GRS, GPEOs and
PRIs. On a suggestion from the local BDO, Radio Namaskar started
to broadcast an announcement regarding Mo Pokhari scheme. It got
a huge response and at least 123 applications were received within

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Community Radio Stations: Policy, Participation...

the first week of the broadcast. The radio volunteers recorded voices
of the farmers who had availed the benefits from the scheme. Inclusion
of the views of the benefitted farmers also encouraged other farmers
in the locality.
Another success story is how Radio Namaskar became
instrumental in exposing Rs 2000 crore scam in food supply under
the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in Konark area.
The community radio started broadcasting a jingle to create
awareness among the locals to take benefits of food stuff supplied
for the children and pregnant women at ICDS centres. It got good
response and locals took benefit of the scheme. One day a group of
women approached Radio Namaskar and complained about the
substandard quality of dal (lentil) supplied under the scheme. Without
any delay, Radio Namaskar sent samples of the moth-infested
packets of dal both to the offices of the Chief Minister and the Prime
Minister. After conducting a laboratory test of the samples, the Prime
Minister’s Office (PMO) reported that at least 71 per cent of the dal
was moth-infested and thereby unfit for human consumption.
Subsequently, the government of Odisha carried out an investigation
by the vigilance department which exposed the scam. Later on, the
state government adopted reforms in its procurement and supply
policy.23
Radio Dhimsa, a community radio by South Orissa Voluntary
Organisation (SOVA) in Koraput, has undertaken a campaign on a
government programme that envisages conferment of land titles to
every tribal household in the district. The goal of the campaign, which
uses ‘desia’ language (local dialect), is to identify and facilitate land
allocations to vulnerable category of single women, widows, deserted,
destitute and differently-abled persons. With cooperation from the
literate local youth called the BhumiSanjojaks, the radio provides
additionalcapacity to field-level revenue officials in identifying landless
people and processing their claims for land entitlement. 24
The government has launched many schemes for the development
of women and children. JananiSurakshaYojana is one of them, which
ensures mother’s wellbeing and provides an assistance of Rs 1,400 to
the mother during the time of delivery. However, either due to lack of

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 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

awareness among people or lackadaisical attitude among concerned

officials, the benefit eludes the beneficiary. Radio Muskan, a community
radio operational at Phulabani in Kandhamal district of Odisha, exposed
such a case and compelled the administration to change their approach
in providing assistance to the beneficiary.A woman, identified as
BasantiKanhar of Paberi village under G Udaygiri block in the district,
died within an hour or two after delivering a child at the local community
health centre (CHC). Reports said she died due to lack of adequate
hemoglobin in her blood. It was alleged that the check-up was not
carried out properly before the delivery. After her death, her family
members were not provided any financial assistance. The case was
picked up by Radio Muskan. A special programme was aired on the
case. The views of the ASHA, ANM and the victim’s family members
were included in the programme. Later, some of the mainstream media
also took interest in the case and gave coverage to the incident in
collaboration with Radio Muskan. Extensive media coverage forced
the administration to take note of the incident. The Chief District Medical
Officer (CDMO), who was earlier reluctant to pay attention to the issue,
took steps to change the guidelines of the policy. It means that if a
woman dies after institutional delivery, her family members can take
the financial assistance which was earlier not followed.25
Conclusion
It is obvious that community radio stations have the potential
to bridge the communication gap created due to distracted
mainstream media. Even though the challenges are multiplied in a
poorly-developed state like Odisha, the existing community radio
stations have proved their potentials in fostering public policy for
community well-being. They have influenced the administration to
rectify faulty policies and also created awareness among the
beneficiaries to take advantage of several populist schemes. However,
most community radio stations are in the developed regions of the
state. If new community radio stations can come up in the less
developed regions of the state, they can play very significant role in
bridging the gap between the government and the citizens.

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References
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December 2015)
♦ Smith, B.L. (2003) Public Policy and Public Participation Engaging Citizens
and Community in the Development of Public Policy (Pdf document
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♦ Bholey, M. (2014).Public Policy and Design: An Interdisciplinary Approach
to Improve Policy Performance. Global Journal of Finance and Management,
6 (2), 151-156.
♦ Nighat, A. (2013). Regional disparities in economic development in post-
reform period.PhD thesis.Aligarh Muslim University.(Retrieved from http://
shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/ on 28th September, 2015).
♦ Chatterjee, M. (2012) Development Challenges in Odisha: Role of Media in
Public Policy. Odisha Review, November 2012.
♦ Agarwal, O.P. &Somanathan, T.V. (2005).Public Policy Making in India:
Issues and Remedies. (Pdf document downloaded from www.ximb.ac.in
on December 11, 2015)
♦ Nagaraj, G. (2011). Play Your Part: Approaches to Community Participation.In
(Ed.) Ground Realities, Community Radio in India. Bangalore. UNESCO
♦ Pradhan, P. (2011) Community Radio as an alternative Tier of Broadcasting
– The Challenges and Prospects in India. Media Watch, 1 (2).
♦ Dash, B. B. (2015a). Community Radio Movement: An Unending Struggle in
India. The Journal of Development Communication, 26 (1), 88-94.
♦ Dash, B. B. (2015b).Media for Empowerment: A Study of Community Radio
Initiatives in Bundelkhand (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis). School of Rural
Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India.
♦ Pavarala, V., & Malik, K. (2007).Other Voices: The Struggle for Community
Radio in India. New Delhi: Sage.
♦ Al-hassan, S. et all. (2011) Role of Community Radio in Livelihood
Improvement: The Case of Simili Radio. Factreports. (Pdf document
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♦ Mallik, K.K. (2015). Our Media, Our Principles. Journalism Studies.Routledge
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Footnotes
1
Mackey, M. &Shaxton, L. Understanding and Applying Basic Public Policy
Concepts.(Pdf document accessed from http://www.uoguelph.ca/ on 12th
December 2015)
2 Bholey, M. (2014).Public Policy and Design: An Interdisciplinary Approach
to Improve Policy Performance. Global Journal of Finance and Management,
6 (2), 151-156.
3 www.study.com
4 Brooks. (1989) quoted in Smith, B.L. (2003)Public Policy and Public
Participation Engaging Citizens and Community in the Development of
Public Policy(Pdf document accessed from http://www.uoguelph.ca/ on

14
 Communication Today, April - June, 2017

13th December 2015)

5 Chatterjee, M. (2012)
6 Mackey, M. &Shaxton, L. Op cit.
7 A, Nighat. (2013)
8 Odisha Economic Survey (2014-15)
9 Agarwal, O.P.&Somanathan, T.V. (2005).Public Policy Making in India: Issues
and Remedies. (Pdf document downloaded from www.ximb.ac.in on
December 11, 2015)
10 Chatterjee, M. (Op cit)
11 Verghese, B.G. Newspapers as a public trust.The Hindu. January 29, 2006.
(Retrieved from www.thehindu.com on December 22, 2015)
12 Sapiro, R. Media’s Role As Watchdog Seen Favorably Among Public: Pew.
The Huffington Post. September 11, 2013 (Retrieved from
www.huffingtonpost.com on December 23, 2015)
13 Mefalopulos, P. (2008) cited in Adiamoh, G. (2013) Using Community Radio
for Sustainable Human Development: Opportunities and Challenges.
14 Empowering Communities, Informing Policy: The Potentials of Community
Radio.(2008) FemLinkPacific in association with UNESCO. (Pdf document
downloaded from www.pacmas.org on December 23, 2015)
15 Pradhan, P. (2011) Community Radio as an alternative Tier of Broadcasting
– The Challenges and Prospects in India. Media Watch, 1 (2).
16 What is Community Radio.http://www.amarc.org/ (Accessed on December
24, 2015)
17 Al-hassan, S. et all. (2011) Role of Community Radio in Livelihood
Improvement: The Case of Simili Radio. Factreports. (Pdf document
accessed from http://factsreports.revues.org/ on December 24, 2015)
18 Mallik, K.K. (2015).Our Media, Our Principles. Journalism Studies.Routledge
(online publication)
19 Pradhan, P. (2011) Op Cit.
20 Agrawal (2006) cited in Dash, B.B. (2015)
21 Prabhakar. (2009) cited in Dash, B.B. (2015)
22 http://mib.nic.in/ShowDocs.aspx (Browsed on August01, 2016).
23 Success stories are retrieved from www.radionamaskar.in on November 2,
2015
24 Radio campaign on land rights to tribal people. The Hindu, January 21,
2014 (Retrieved from www.thehindu.com on November 2, 2015)
25 The case study report is the outcome of a telephonic discussion with the
officials of Radio Muskan in December 2015.

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