A National Public Radio for India

During my recent visit to India, I had the opportunity look at the state of the media in India. It is in a word abysmal. Take the national newspapers: the two cover stories vying for the honor during the week were the fact that there is a difference of one year between the official and unofficial dates of birth of the head of the armed forces and the other that a film star slapped another star at a party! And this at a time when the world economy is collapsing. And less said about the TV coverage the better-  India has perfected the art of interrupting the commercials with hysterical commentators at random moments. 

Perhaps the time has come for India to develop a non commercial but objective broadcasting media network. I understand that TV licenses are difficult but surely it should be possible to develop and maintain a public radio station that caters to the intelligentsia as well as the common man. The model I am looking at is the National Public Radio in the U.S. Here is what I propose:

Set up a foundation for public broadcasting which in the initial stage would focus on creating a national radio network of public broadcasting separate from the government channels. This INPR( or Indian National Public Radio) would have as its objective the following:

▪                Provide an identifiable daily product which is consistent and reflects the highest standards of broadcast journalism.

▪                Provide extended coverage of public events, issues and ideas, and to acquire and produce special public affairs programs.

▪                Acquire and produce cultural programs which can be scheduled individually by stations.

▪                Provide access to the intellectual and cultural resources of cities, universities and rural districts through a system of cooperative program development with member public radio stations.

▪                Develop and distribute programs for specific groups ( adult education, literacy instruction, modular units for local productions) which may meet needs of individual regions or groups, but may not have general national relevance.

▪                Establish liaison with foreign broadcasters like NPR in the US and BBC for a program exchange service.

▪                Produce materials specifically intended to develop the art and technical potential of radio in India

The bulk of revenues for this venture could come from programming fees, grants from foundations and business houses, contributions and sponsors. In the U.S, for example, about 50% of NPR revenues come from the fees it charges member stations for programming and distribution charges. The member stations, in turn, receive funds through on-air pledge drives, corporate underwriting, state and local governments, educational institutions, and the federal government.

In contrast with commercial broadcasting, INPR would not carry traditional radio commercials, but may have advertising in the form of brief statements from major donors, statements called underwriting spotss, not commercials, for unlike commercials, they cannot advocate a product or contain any "call to action".

The issue is how do we start? First step is to examine if similar efforts have been made in the past in India at the federal level or at the regional/state level. What were the problems they encountered and why did or did not succeed? The next step would be to search for like minded people who would support such a venture and could become the core advocacy group. 

So while I research ( of course with your help) the first step, I welcome offers of support from all others as well.