Workshop on Community Radio Held

Mananthavady, December 2011

Delegates from ten dioceses attended a three-day workshop on Community Radio organized by the Catholic Bishops? Conference of India Office for Social Communications (CBCI-OSC) December 10-12. The programme was held at Dwaraka, Mananthawady, the headquarters of Radio Mattoli, the first Community Radio in Kerala and an initiative of the diocese of Mananthavady. The workshop included sessions, spot visits and interaction with the management and staff, programme producers and listeners. The participants shared the prospects of establishing Community Radio stations in their own respective dioceses.

Inaugurating the workshop Bishop Jose Porunnedom of Mananthavady urged the importance of adopting modern communication methods if the church is to proclaim the Gospel message effectively. He highlighted the popularity of radio as a medium of communication and said today radio sets are being fitted into fridges, microwaves, cars, mobile phones and other instruments. Radio offers us the possibility to reach the maximum number of people with less costs and resources, he said.

Bishop Porunnedom said he was inspired by the CBCI General Body meeting in Trichur in 2006 which called for the Church in India to take communication seriously. Established in 2009 under the aegis of the Wayanad Social Service Society, Radio Mattoli broadcasts programmes daily from 6 a.m. to 10.pm. In the predominantly tribal district of Waynad, Radio Mattoli is listened to by more than 6.5 lakh people.

Station Director Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam said said the programme content of Radio Mattoli focuses on themes like agriculture, marketing, rural and tribal welfare, domestic issues, women empowerment and leadership, education and entrepreneurship and host of other social and development issues. During an interactive session with listeners of Mattoli, mostly women and college students, the workshop participants learnt that the radio station and its services are highly esteemed by the people. The various government departments at the central and state level have praised Radio Mattoli for its service to the people of Waynad. Fr Jaise Baby, Assistant Director said Radio Mattoli has been a major instrument of transformation in the district as it has helped to change the mindset of people towards education and development.

CBCI Office for Social Communication has set up a national task force and other mechanisms to assist dioceses interested in starting Community Radio. In July the OSC organised a meeting of the directors of the five church-run Community Radio stations at Kochi. Fr. George Plathottam sdb, Secretary, CBCI-OSC highlighted the growing potential of community radio to promote education, development and empowerment of people.

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