I&B Ministry plans study on reach of community radio

NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is planning to get a study conducted to assess the reach and effectiveness of community radio stations in benefiting communities.

The ministry has initiated the process of selecting a consulting agency to conduct a study on the listenership, reach and effectiveness of community radio stations in India by way of tangible and intangible, direct or indirect benefits to the community in India.

It is learnt that among the objectives of the study are estimated listenership potential and reach of community radio stations and draw up a socio-economic and demographic profile of listeners.

The study is also aimed at assessing the reasons for listening and not listening and gauge the extent and nature of participation of community in the CRS.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has been actively working to encourage community radio in the country.

Currently, there are 170 functional CRS and another 250 in the pipeline going through different stages of the licencing process.