The Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) is the first government university in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States to operate a community radio.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I & B) has sanctioned the new facility to ANU, Guntur, permitting it to air programmes up to 18-km radius.
The signal test conducted a few weeks ago at 91.2 frequency has been found technically sound for operation of the radio.
A few areas close to Mangalagiri and other locations proposed for Andhra Pradesh’s new capital fall in the operational area of the community radio.
“Programmes will be designed in two categories, with active involvement of local communities and students. Priority will be given to issues such as health, education, rural infrastructure and women empowerment,” ANU Department of Journalism & Mass Communication Assistant Professor K. Anitha told The Hindu .
Ms. Anitha is involved in coordination and designing of programmes for the community radio. “The voice and issues of Mangalagiri weaving community, farmers, women and other walks of public life will be heard on our radio, for which programmes are being produced to air soon during the academic year 2015-16,” added Ms. Anitha.
Women from various walks of public life and experts in various fields would also be invited to the radio station proposed to be operated from the university campus, apart from encouraging students to involve in various educational programmes.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I & B) is encouraging any educational institution, Non Governmental Organisation or Krishi Vignan Kendra to set up community radio on certain conditions needed to be fulfilled for defence and other reasons.
Programmes will be designed in two categories, with active involvement of local communities and students
K. Anitha
Assistant Professor, ANU Department of Journalism & Mass Communication
