STATE OF RADIO IN NEPAL

As Nepal continues in its transition of defining its political destiny as a new born republic, what remains certain is the fact that the Radio assumes an indispensable role in shaping the opinion of the people; and hence the fate of its future. A distinctive and central feature of Nepal’s sovereign dispensation has been its willingness to facilitate the development of the Radio as a means to encourage the making of an informed society. Indeed, the Radio has been a central pathway of connecting and empowering the diverse people of Nepal as a dynamic political entity. While India by large is an entertainment centered society, which has been manifested and reiterated through its mainstream media, Nepal by comparison thrives on the hunger for want of information and knowledge through public discourses on issues that are important to their existence. Considering that print media has limited reach and accessibility in Nepal, the Radio in effect is the one and only true medium of mass communication. With cheap and easy accessibility, the Radio has succeeded in developing a personal relationship with the listener. From remote villages to the heart of Katmandu valley, from scanty shacks to sophisticated studios, Radio stations stand proudly in the skyline, serving as reminder its testament as a vanguard of people’s aspiration. Nepal’s pioneering community Radios have had positive affect on the people; and because it is community-centered with ownership in the hands of the people, it has become an affective and trustworthy medium for addressing concerns, disseminating information, empowering people to make informed decisions.

The government for the first time had granted FM licenses to state-owned Radio Nepal in February 11, 1996. On 31 March 1996, the station that would become Radio Sagarmatha aired its first test signals on FM 102.4 Mhz without a license. When NEFEJ finally received a broadcasting license on 18 May 1997, Radio Sagarmatha became the first fully independent radio station in the country and marked an important achievement for civil society in Nepal.As Radio Sagarmatha broke new ground, gradually shedding the restrictions that initially accompanied its license, the movement for ‘community radio’ gained momentum outside the valley. In the process, Radio Sagarmatha set the standard for independent, public-interest radio in the country. More FM licenses were granted and in early 2000, two new ‘community’ stations joined the airwaves: the first, Radio Lumbini in Rupandehi District, a cooperative which raised the funds for its establishment locally, and the second, Radio Madanpokhara in the adjacent district of Palpa, licensed through the Village Development Committee. Around the same time, NEFEJ created the Community Radio Support Centre (CRSC) to support the development of sector, and in 2002, the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) was established as a representative body for community radio in Nepal. As new stations started to broadcast, pioneer like Radio Sagarmatha and production groups like Communication Corner began to share content and programmes, at first using telephone link-ups and cassette, then gradually moving to CD and satellite as full-fledged production houses and distribution networks started to emerge. By 2005 there were some 50 FM stations on the air with more than one third of these operating on a non-profit basis (the basic criteria to be considered as a community radio).

After the success of the People’s Movement of 2006, which resulted in the promulgation of a new constitution, FM licenses were issued en masse. Some 150 licenses were granted between April 2006 and July 2007, including more than 65 to non-profit groups. In August 2007, ACORAB listed its membership at 90 radio stations with 33 broadcasters on air. However, according to UNESCO, 216 licenses had been issued by the Government of Nepal, as of July 2007 with 78 FM stations broadcasting. The growth of community radio has been equally large with 93 licenses issued beginning May 2007 and 35 stations on air. As of October 2007 community radio coverage had spread to 56 of 75 districts. UNDP’s Human Development Report in 1995 estimated only three radio sets per one hundred people in Nepal. However, Development Communication and Research Consultancy Group in 1990 estimated that 63.6% of Nepalese households have radio sets, a ratio of about 112 sets per 1000 people.

According to Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC), altogether 56 FM Radio stations were given permission by the government prior to the democratic movement in April last year. Thanks to the liberal media policy of the government formed after the popular April uprising, the number of those obtaining go-ahead certificates for FM Radio across the country has reached 189 including 34 in Kathmandu valley. Officials at MoIC said altogether 68 of the total FMs acquiring license have started regular broadcasting in different parts of the country. Among them, 22 FMs are currently operating in Kathmandu valley alone.According to MoIC, Bagmati, Narayani, Lumbini and Gandaki zones have acquired 34, 24, 18 and 16 radio licenses respectively. Likewise, Koshi and Seti each have got 11 Radio licenses while the Ministry has granted 8 licenses each to FM radios in Dhaulagiri and Karnali zones so far. The number of those acquiring radio licenses in Bheri, Mechi and Mahakali totals 13, 9 and 3 respectively. The districts yet to receive FM license include Terhathum, Rautahat, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Manang, Myagdi, Dolpa, Dadeldhura and Baitadi..


FM radio stations can be divided into three different categories as listed below.

1.Commercial
2.Community
3.Co-operative

Community FMs
There are many community radio stations in Nepal that are run by volunteers. Most of them are outside of Kathmandu. Programming deals with community information on a range of social issues such as health and the environment.

Co-operative FMs
Radio Lumbini is known for being the first co-operative radio in South Asia and the first rural radio station in Nepal. It produces programmes related to social, cultural and environmental awareness.

Commercial FMs
Unlike community and cooperative stations, Commercial FM radio stations are run for the purpose of making profit. Since they are profit oriented, they tend to concentrate on entertainment programming which draws big audiences. The most popular program genres include: talk shows, popular music, quiz show and talkback

PROBLEMS
There are many problems that a radio station has to face. First, how to survive with limited advertising and more educational service-oriented programs. Second, how retain creative and dynamic journalists and producers in a competitive world. Two such producers are working at the BBC in London.Third, how to learn management techniques (of running radio stations) on a continuing basis. Fourth, how to create a marketing strategy and a dynamic marketing team in a small and low-cost station. Finally, how to motivate volunteers who could produce programs without posing a burden on the limited resources. Similarly, FM entrepreneurs allege that the government had distributed licenses without assessing market feasibility. According to them, mushrooming FM radios in a particular place will involve them in unhealthy competition and ultimately lead to the collapse of their venture. BAN officials said the government had failed to ensure proper distribution of radio frequencies. Radio frequencies have been distributed in an unscientific manner. The government must formulate certain regulations to ensure effective frequency distribution. Financial challenges still remain for the FM radios as they are still denied government advertisement, a major source of revenue for media in Nepal. The government recognizes advertisements published in little-known newspapers, but, it does not give recognition to such contents broadcast on FM radio, which are far more effective mediums than such papers


RECENT CHANGES
There have been several recent changes to the existing regulatory environment,including a provision in the interim constitution (2006) that protects media freedom, including that of FM radio stations, as a fundamental right (15/2), clearly stating “No radio, television, online or any other types of digital or electronic means, press or any other communication media shall be closed, seized or be cancelled because of publishing and broadcasting or printing any material by such means of audio, audio-visual or electronic equipment.” Other significant new developments include the Right to Information Act, which ensures the availability of any ‘public’ information, and an operationalized Working Journalists Act, which clearly describes terms and conditions for employment, and rights and responsibilities of journalists and media owners. The other significant change to the specific rules and procedures governing radio has been a reduction in the license and renewal fees required of FM broadcasters. The fee for a 100 watt transmitter, which was NPR 50000 (USD 770) became NPR 10000 (USD 154), a 50 watt unit went from NPR 25000 (USD 385) to NPR 1000 (USD 15) and for transmitters up to 30 watts, the fee was reduced from NPR 10000 to NPR 500 (USD 8). The change is significant since there is considerable benefit for stations with low power transmitters. The new policy would be even more significant if it were to represent an indication of future policy since it is clearly in favour of low-watt, non-commercial broadcasting.