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The movement for Community Radio in India started about two decades ago, as a response to the Supreme Court judgement of 1995, which declared the airwaves to be public property. The Government of India approved a policy allowing Community Radio Stations (CRSs) to be set up by educational institutions, in December 2002. In 2006, the policy was revised and non-governmental organisations were allowed to set up CRSs. Ever since, CRSs have become an integral part of the broadcasting system in India. On the academic front, they have emerged as an interdisciplinary area of inquiry, addressing issues of culture, politics, development, empowerment and social change.

 We have now witnessed a decade-long engagement with community radios in the country. Against this backdrop, the Department of Media and Communication Studies (DMCS), Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune) is organising a National Level Conference on Community Radio in India. The conference, titled, Questioning Community Radio in India: Looking Back to Look Forward, is scheduled to take place on 5-7 March 2017.

 As an area of academic engagement, numerous questions regarding CRSs may be probed into, including policies, programming, participation, inclusiveness, ownership, management and effect. What are the experiences of CR stations with respect to national policies and regulations? What kind of participation do hitherto marginalised groups see in the programming and management of CRSs? What are the patterns and politics of ownership of CR stations? What kind of programming do CR stations encourage? How does technology and related training intersect with the practise of community radio? What kind of a role do CRSs play in engaging with local language, indigenous knowledge, and community culture? Are CRSs expected to play a role in promoting government policies and programmes, or do they envisage a vision of their own? The conference seeks to provide a platform for engagement with some of these questions and beyond.

 This three-day conference would include a one-day pre-conference for doctoral scholars working on community radio, open to both academicians and practitioners. Each session would include theoretical and empirical research by academicians, and case studies and narratives by practitioners.

 The areas of inquiry may include, but not be limited to:

History of CR (movement, initiatives and stations) in India

• The Region and Community Radio
• Agencies in Community Radio Stations
• Ownership of Community Radio Stations
• Participation, Audience and Impact
• Programmatic Agendas and Engagement with Issues on Community Radio
• Local culture and Traditional Knowledge Systems
• Community Radio Stations for Good Governance
• Technology and Community Radio
• Sustainability of Community Radio Stations

Pre-Conference Colloquium

Community Radio has emerged as a key area of academic engagement under the larger umbrella of Development Communication, akin to SITE in 1980s, telecommunication in 1990s and ICTs in 2000s. In order to engage with ongoing research by young scholars and student researchers in the area, the one-day pre-conference colloquium would serve as the ideal platform for exchange of ideas, research work, and feedback on ongoing research projects. If found suitable, fine-tuned/presentation-ready Masters dissertations may also be considered.

 The Department of Media and Communication Studies (DMCS) hopes that the three-day National Conference would provide space for critical and intellectual engagement amongst senior and young scholars, and practitioners alike.

 Deadlines

6 January 2017: Last Date of Abstract Submission

10 January 2017: Acceptance Notification

20 February 2017: Last Date of Full Paper Submission

 Registration Fee

For Masters, MPhil and PhD scholars: `500/-

For Academicians and Practitioners in CRSs: `1000/-

 Venue

The conference will be held at the Department of Media and Communication Studies, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra. Pune, one of the major cities of India is well connected by road, rail and air.

 Guidelines

Word limit: Abstract (250-300 words) with 4-5 keywords

Case Study from CRSs (2000-2500 words), Paper (5000-6000 words)

Font: Times New Roman

Font Size: Title – 16 Bold, Heading – 14 Bold, Subheading – 12 Bold,

Sub-subheading – 12 Bold Italic, Body – 12, Footnote – 10

Line Gap: 1.5, Reference: APA Style, Indexing: 1 inch

 Conference Coordinator

 Bidu Bhusan Dash, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Media and Communication Studies

Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune – 411007

Maharashtra, India. Cell No: +91-7830666700, Email: comdevdmcs@gmail.com