Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) has
launched Community Information Network (CIN) connecting 105 community
radios of Nepal into a single satellite network on 29th of May 2009,
providing a platform for information sharing.
Networking among the radio stations has become more essential to gain a
competitive edge in the communication sector. Undoubtedly, a
well-informed public is a pre-condition for the development of a
country. If the networking radio stations are improved, rural
communities will not only receive news and information from ACORAB-
Kathmandu but networking radio stations could share information within
themselves.
Community radios of Nepal have a wish for a long time to have its own
satellite network so that they can have access to updated information,
both national and international. Since most of the radios are located in
remote areas and communication channel is limited and frequently
disturbed, it has been a big challenge to update with latest
information. It has also been difficult to share radio programmes as
they had to depend upon CD. The current unstable political situation in
the country and the constant general strikes and road blockades have
affected distribution of information by restricting the mobility.
Sometimes, CDs are not delivered on time, or at times not delivered at
all, especially to stations in far away places.
Though most of the radio stations have working telephone line
connection with few disturbance in remote areas, the option of switching
into internet for distributing and exchanging audio programmes and
information has also problems because of poor internet bandwidth outside
Kathmandu, the option has not been feasible and cost-effective in the
long run.
ACORAB, therefore, was determined to establish the CIN for few years.
CIN is an information and communication satellite network with social
objectives, being developed as a platform for sharing of news,
information, radio programmes among all community radios of Nepal. The
CIN, in close collaboration with community radios, will focus on
enhancing critical dialogues from local perspective on issues such as
national identity, democracy, human rights, governance, social cohesion,
social inclusion and social justice, peace-building, constitution
making process, development and other socio-political issues.
After the establishment of CIN, community radios will be able to
share their radio programmes to promote successful and good practices.
In addition, community radios will be able to send voice clips to their
respective radio stations after recording in Kathmandu.
For the moment, ACORAB has established its own studio with a small
but professional news production team. The team sends news twice a day.
In the meantime, community radios also receive the news in text so that
they can repackage and localize the news at their own version and
dialect. ACORAB will soon coordinate with community radio to help them
to produce radio programmes on various themes by producing core radio
contents so that local issues can be centralized and central issues can
be localized.
Since ACORAB gives priority to local news, community radios will be
act as reporters. ACORAB, therefore, will enhance capacity of the radios
by providing two months' internship opportunity at its own studio so
that the interns can learn and upgrade their skill and knowledge on news
and programme production and be able to upgrade quality of radio
programmes upon their return.
The network can also be used by non-profit making organisations (e.g.
organisation of indigenous and other marginalised communities) for
distributing their programming and information to the radio stations.
The establishment of the network would be a milestone for community
radio sector for sustaining their movement.
ACORAB will soon begin to broadcast "live" of the Constituent
Assembly where Constituent Assembly members are busy on constitution
making of Nepal. This will make the constituent assembly members more
accountable towards their constituencies and local communities will know
performance of the members. At the meantime, discourse will also be
organised between politicians, their constituents and the general
public, which will enable to provide input to constitution making
process.
Contact Information:
Community Information Network (CIN)
Post Box 19324 Kathmandu
Chakupat, Lalitpur, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-5260782/5260671
Tel/Fax: +977-1-5260646
Email: info@cin.org.np
www.cin.org.np
Click on play icon to listen online:
Nepal Bani Network is a media network having 67
affiliated radio stations covering all of Nepal (all 75 districts). A
dedicated team of experts oversee the daily operations of this network
ensuring accurate, quality and timely program production and airing.
Currently, he network is airing fourteen news bulletins. The Network is
centrally operated from Kathmandu and linked with affiliated stations
through DTH satellite connection.