UNICEF and Association of Radio Operators of India organised a workshop to evolve a suitable platform which can use the power of radio for social development specifically child rights.
The workshop used participatory processes wherein the radio professionals themselves realised how easy it is to integrate social messages in regular programming and use radio waves for a cause.
To create a platform for, by and about children and to enable a whole generation of adolescents to voice their issues is what UNICEF alongwith radio can facilitate. This was the underlying message a group of radio professionals took home today.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s 2012 estimates indicate that 245 private FM radio stations are reaching millions of listeners across socio-economic classes in India, making radio the most potent medium for entertainment, information and education.
The workshop used participatory processes wherein the radio professionals themselves realised how easy it is to integrate social messages in regular programming and use radio waves for a cause.
To create a platform for, by and about children and to enable a whole generation of adolescents to voice their issues is what UNICEF alongwith radio can facilitate. This was the underlying message a group of radio professionals took home today.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s 2012 estimates indicate that 245 private FM radio stations are reaching millions of listeners across socio-economic classes in India, making radio the most potent medium for entertainment, information and education.
The interactive session presented an overview of the child rights scenario in India, UNICEF’s approach to the situation and potential programming and partnership opportunities with FM radio. Radio jockeys and producers from Red FM, Fever 101, Must radio, Big FM, Radio Dhamaal, Radio City, Radio and Music.com and other community based radio stations participated in the workshop.
Rajeshwari Chandrasekar, Chief, UNICEF State Office for Maharashtra, pointed out that “FM radio has immense potential for influencing public opinion and creating a movement for children and young people through their interactive programming. UNICEF’s partnership with radio stations through the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) will provide a platform for India’s children and youth to influence key decision makers, notably media.”
“The role of media and radio in particular is extremely powerful especially in India, which, is a huge music loving and information loving country. To now extend the potential of radio to speak for change and mobilise people and bring institutions together is the logical next step forward. Radio jockeys need to step up and become radio journalists. This is the only way radio can become a partner in development,” said Uday Chawla, Secretary General, Association of Radio Operators of India (AROI).
Through interactive games and roleplaying, radio professionals explored options on how they could mainstream messaging on child labour, marriage, abuse, education and open defecation as a part of their regular programming.
Through interactive games and roleplaying, radio professionals explored options on how they could mainstream messaging on child labour, marriage, abuse, education and open defecation as a part of their regular programming.
RJ Simran from Radio City, urged the radio jockeys gathered to speak for change. She handed a whistle to each radio jockey to use on air to advocate child’s rights. “That whistle lying on my desk everyday will remind me that I have a responsibility to be the change I want to see. There are several barriers we face including our own misconceptions and lack of information. We often think that no one wants to discuss serious issues but if we actually start talking about these concerns on air, we will find that our audience does care and gets involved.”
She gave the example of UNICEF’s current ‘Take the Poo 2 the Loo’ (www.poo2loo.com, #poo2loo on twitter) campaign. 626 million Indians, half the population of our country defecates in the open. “This campaign can easily be woven into our daily programming in a fun and easy way to get the message across that open defecation which you see from the local train every morning is also a health, dignity and safety issue.”
Sonia Sarkar and Swati Mohapatra, UNICEF facilitated the workshop stressing, “Child rights can be as popular as cricket and Bollywood provided the end message is put on air creatively with humour. We would be happy to work with any radio station with our expertise on critical issues concerning women and children in India.”
She gave the example of UNICEF’s current ‘Take the Poo 2 the Loo’ (www.poo2loo.com, #poo2loo on twitter) campaign. 626 million Indians, half the population of our country defecates in the open. “This campaign can easily be woven into our daily programming in a fun and easy way to get the message across that open defecation which you see from the local train every morning is also a health, dignity and safety issue.”
Sonia Sarkar and Swati Mohapatra, UNICEF facilitated the workshop stressing, “Child rights can be as popular as cricket and Bollywood provided the end message is put on air creatively with humour. We would be happy to work with any radio station with our expertise on critical issues concerning women and children in India.”
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