Radio as a tool to browse the Net

["Irfan Khan" <khania@super.net.pk>]

Radio as a tool to browse the Net

PTI [ TUESDAY, APRIL 02, 2002  10:27:48 AM ]

NEW DELHI: People on the wrong side of the digital divide can now, 
through an interactive radio programme called 'radio browsing', ask 
experts to surf the internet on their behalf and transmit information 
in response to their requests.

"Presenters select relevant, reliable Websites and broadcast the 
programme with local resource persons as studio guests, like doctors 
for a health programme, who discuss the contents of the mostly 
English-language sites directly in local languages," says Unesco 
regional communication advisor W Jayaweera.

Listeners, thus, not only get information they requested, but 
understand how it is made available on the web. They can react to it 
and know that key data will remain available in the community 
database enabling an entire community access to online information in 
their own language.

"It is a unique strategy for bringing poor or marginalised 
communities mass, indirect access to online information. It is now a 
model for developing community multimedia centres throughout the 
developing world," says the Unesco official, adding the project 
initiated 5 years ago is already proving to be a success in several 
Third World countires.

"Radio browsing is already adapted by Bhutan Broadcasting Service in 
Bhutan and two radio stations in Nepal apart from community radio 
stations in Philippines, Niger and Uganda."

"Even Pakistan, after acknowledging our efforts, has announced a new 
broadcasting regulatory regime under which community radio stations 
are allowed," he says, adding that Unesco now wants to replicate the 
model in India.

However, this unique experiment is yet to take off in the country due 
to concerns about its possible misuse as a tool of disintegration of 
nationhood.

Cyberlaw experts like Pavan Duggal fear that interception, being a 
very tedious process due to the peculiarities of this complex 
country, there is possibility of misuse by separatists and 
terrorists.

"There should be a strong licensing regime," he says.

The policy-makers might now consider promoting the novel 'radio- 
browsing programme' after the passage of the Information Technology 
Act, 2000, which empowers the Controller of Certifying Authority to 
order interception.

Also, the recently passed anti-terrorism Bill -- which gives 
evidentiary value to such intercepts -- could provide the necessary 
safeguards.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj's recent 
announcement that she favours introducing a policy which will 
facilitate "narrowcasting" is seen by the social sector as a positive 
sign from the government towards allowing 'radio browsing' in the 
country through community radio stations.

However, Jayaweera brushes aside fears of armed groups using 
community radio and programmes like radio browsing to promote their 
own separatist agenda: "In the countries with conflicts such as Sri 
Lanka, South Africa and Nepal, community radio is operational without 
any threat of acquire by armed groups."

"In fact, it helps bottom-up decision making from each and every 
community in the decentralised administration. Therefore, it 
facilitates the process of true and democratic nation building," he 
says.

Tea farmers in Kothmale, Sri Lanka could improve their tea drying 
techniques as a result of web infromation shared on these programmes.

"Similarly other farmers in Timbuktu, Mali - where four radio 
stations received a suitcase radio comprising a complete broadcasting 
unit from Unesco for production of programmes using internet - found 
more information on improved methods of growing and storage of their 
crop besides knowing export possibilities and location-specific 
weather reports," he says, adding village bakers can find new recipes 
and funeral undertakers can learn more about embalming techniques.

All India Radio (AIR) officials are receptive to the concept of radio 
browsing perhaps through the five community radio stations in the 
remote areas of the Northeast, notes AIR chief engineer HO 
Shrivastava.

He however points out that the state radio already has similar 
programmes which induces the listeners to check-out the internet.

"The 75 local radio stations broadcasts programmes like Krishidarshan 
-- programme for agriculturists -- apart from phone- in programmes 
during which listeners can ask experts questions about the new media 
and its content."

But according to a recent India Human Development Report, only 51 per 
cent of the villages have access to telephone within two km distance, 
says Centre for Media Studies director N Bhaskara Rao.

"Despite high talk and specific targets, we are far from taking the 
technoligies to rural 
areas. Even in Andhra Pradesh, a state which is a pioneer in rural 
phones, 20 per cent of 
villages are without a phone. When this is the scenario, how many 
people can afford phone-in 
programmes," he says.

The successful deployment of the traditional and new media combine to 
increase the level of IT 
awareness apart from providing new livelihood areas to the 
marginalised communities in 
Kothmale in Sri Lanka and Timbuktu in Mali should set the 
policymakers thinking on giving 
permission to similar ventures in the country.

"Digitalisation should mean digital dividend and increased access 
mean empowerment for more people, not the same people. Only then it 
will narrow the digital divide," says Rao.


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=5652296