Fine Tuning

Initiated by students,community radio channels are no longer satisfied with their limited reach. Despite their shoestring budgets,they are making an attempt to alter the guidelines and make a mark in the ionosphere. “We can’t just broadcast discussions on burning social issues; it will become monotonous. Therefore,we are aiming to strike a balance through music of local musicians like Shilpa Solapulakar and Kedar Bhagwat,” says DJ Narain,director,Radio FTII FM 90.4. In the recent months,the channel has opened its studio to local residents who can come and speak on issues that concern them and musicians and vocalists who can promote their music on the station without any charge.

Addressing concerns that adding music might make community radios as commercial as other private radio stations,Deshmukh says,“We will not be dominated by commercial music but I feel that its presence will help our cause.”

At Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC),meanwhile,students are planning to launch their community radio station. The technical details and programming is being worked on. “We wanted to launch the radio station in 2008 but the plan got shelved due to technical problems,” says Anupam Siddhartha,director,SIMC,adding that the channel will provide an opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in broadcasting,including airing music,conducting interviews and running educational shows His primary concern is to get permission from air force authorities due to the strategic location of the campus,which he hopes will work out soon.