Radiq Radio, a project of the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia is taking a new approach to community radio.
Firstly, Radiq Radio programs can be downloaded from the Internet. They are also being downloaded by a station in Dumai, Indonesia, that will eventually transmit its programs to Peninsula Malaysia, Singapore and large parts of Indonesia once the required technical equipment have been installed.
Malaysian individuals or communities can have their programs broadcast at only 50 Malaysian Ringgit for a maximum of 15 minutes. Concessions are available to deserving sources.
The Radiq Radio policy is straight forward. Large city-based, NGO's pay while rural grass root communities, such as an orang asli community would be free. As a result bigger NGO's subsidise the poorer community users.
CIJ provides radio skills training for communities and is relying on these communities to record their own programs for the newly launched radio outfit.
Panel discussions have been recorded and volunteers asked to contribute specific segments.
CIJ and the Radiq Radio project are being funded by several organisations which are listed at www.cijmalaysia.org. They are, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Open Society Institute, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance, the Global Fund for Women, and local donors.
The fascinating full story is at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm? id=14014
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