Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Community radio for fisherfolk set to take off

T. Nandakumar

Channel to begin experimental broadcast on May 1

Thiruvananthapuram: The first private community radio for fisherfolk is all set to go on air in the coastal belt of the city. Named Radio Alakal, the channel is expected to commence experimental broadcast on May 1.

Operated by the community, for the community, the network uses a low power transmitter operating at 90.4 MHz to reach out to families on the coast and fishermen at sea.

Trial runs reported good reception in offshore areas up to 30 km. The initiative is designed to open up a new channel of communication for the marginalised sections in the coastal areas.

The pilot project is promoted by a group of organisations including the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, South Indian Federations of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS), MJM Centre and Loyola College, Thiruvananthapuram.

The transmitter and recording studio will be located on the campus of the DC School of Management and Technology (DCSMAT) at Kazhakuttam. Software support will be provided by indiadisasters.org.

The broadcast will start off with a three-hour daily slot and gradually be scaled up. Apart from weather forecast, conditions at sea and disaster warning, the transmitter will relay livelihood options, market information, music, quiz, interviews and programmes highlighting local traditions and the problems faced by fishermen and their families. Local volunteers are being trained to produce most of the radio programmes and administer the network.

The project also proposes a network of low-cost radio kiosks along the coast equipped with loudspeakers. The kiosks will come up near fish landing centres and in common spaces where fishermen congregate for work or leisure activities.

"The basic objective of the channel is to enhance the quality of life of the coastal communities that have largely remained outside the development process. It will speak their language and highlight their concerns. The content will be evolved on the basis of feedback from listeners and radio clubs," says L. Ajith of indiadisasters.org.

A core group for programme production has been constituted with people from the local community.

A recording facility will be set up at Veli. After the experimental phase of three months, the promoters are planning to set up a society to take the effort forward.

The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation has already expressed interest in developing community radio as an effective medium to highlight the problems faced by traditional fishermen and their families.

Says the federation State president T. Peter: "We see it as a medium to popularise the traditional knowledge of the community and promote local culture. By relaying market information, the radio can help free fishermen from the stranglehold of unscrupulous middlemen."

Mr. Peter feels that the success of the project will depend on viable funding for operation and maintenance.

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