Campuses to tune into FM
N. J. NAIR
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Is the FM radio boom, which is said to be around the corner, set to create a big demand for trained professionals?
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NEW TREND: An FM radio station at an educational institution.
KERALA IS in for a major FM radio boom. Media schools are gearing up to groom students to meet the increasing demand for broadcasting professionals. The FM radio revolution that has swept the Gulf countries would be replicated in the State too in the immediate future. Community radio service is expected to take the role an educator. It would have the potential to mould public opinion and guide society.
Taking the lead
The DCSMAT Media School coming up in Thiruvananthapuram, is taking the lead in launching a community radio service that would cover at least 8 km. The project is part of its one-year postgraduate diploma programme.
According to K. Kunhikrishnan, director of the school, entertainment has emerged as one of the major industries in the country and at present it is next only to information technology. The supply of trained-professionals is far below the requirement due to the accelerated growth of the industry.
FM radio policy
The FM radio policy of the Central Government envisages a massive expansion of radio in the private sector. Since the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has already recommended private participation, terrestrial television stations would soon mushroom in the State, which has become a major hub of the entertainment industry. Soon, Kerala would also have 17 commercial FM radio stations, he says.
"The entertainment media sector in the country, on an average, needs 30,000 skilled media professionals, of which 20,000 are required for the southern market alone," he says.
Rapid economic growth has meant that more money is being spent on media and entertainment.
The growth of this sector is such that it would create a huge potential for those seeking a career in radio broadcasting including designing, production, marketing and transmission of programmes, he explains.
Study findings
A recent study conducted by All India Radio has revealed that almost 50 percent of the 300 to 350 million radio listeners in the country are in Kerala and this has been cited as one of the catalytic factors for the social growth and development that the State witnessed during the past few decades.
This study has given more impetus to the efforts to set up more radio stations in the State.
The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has accorded sanction to set up community FM radio stations to universities and educational institutions and non-Governmental organisations (NGOs). Indira Gandhi National Open University, Anna University in Chennai and certain NGOs based in Hyderabad are already operating such community radio stations mainly for educational purposes.
Pioneering venture
The Radio DC that would start broadcasting from the Kinfra Film and Video Park at Kazkakoottam is a pioneering venture in Kerala, says Mr. Kunhikrishnan.
The station, to be run exclusively by students, would be producing programmes that would educate, entertain and inform the listeners.
Those undergoing training at the station will get exposure to the latest digital sound recording and transmitting facilities, says Mr. Kunhikrishnan.
Community FM radio stations can play a pivotal role in creating a social awareness among key sections of society, especially the poor and the weaker sections who still live beyond the reach of the cable television network. Mr. Kunhikrishnan, who has done extensive studies on the subject, says that the cable network penetration in Kerala is only 45 per cent and hence such radio stations can take the lead in airing an `edutainment' mix that would be well received by the majority which has not been covered by the cable network so far.
The commercial FM stations would be viable since they are expected to earn revenue from advertisements.
Those run by educational institutions would be supported mainly by the students' fees.
Once the trend sets in a number of educational institutions would come forward to set up such stations that at present cost nearly Rs.1 crore.
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