Voices of bengal: how community radio brings people together - GetBengal Story

The bustling streets and serene villages of West Bengal are home to a unique form of radio – a radio that not only provides music but also listens to people, shares their stories, and helps address their issues. This is a community radio station, a station of the community, for the community. Community radio differs from large commercial stations that give airplay to only the most popular music, trending entertainment news, or national news. Community radio gives everyday people an opportunity to speak, learn, and connect.

The concept of community radio originated in a few countries, namely the United States and Canada. Where groups wanted a chance to be able to speak out about their own local issues, as well as share their culture within their communities. This concept of community radio took route in India in the 2000's, and grew extensively across the country to all states including West Bengal. In West Bengal, these community radio stations developed into a means for local community members to share direct information with one another about health issues, education, agriculture, local affairs, and traditional cultural happenings. In an effective way, community radio, assuages social isolation for members of the community, giving them a sense of connectedness and agency to voice their opinions, alligned to their own time of living. Most especially in rural places where other forms of mass media may not suffice. 

In West Bengal, there are various community radio that exemplify the concept in action. A station such as Radio JU (90.8 MHz) at Jadavpur University of Kolkata allows students and faculty to discuss academic issues and social topics and cultural happenings, whilst helping give voice to youth. Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Radio SRFTI 90.4 FM radio combines entertainment and education, providing listeners with film critiques, interviews with filmmakers, and conversations about the media. NSHM Y-FM (91.2 MHz) is devoted to programs oriented around youth, such career services, mental health and discussions about community building activities. Jhargram has a community radio station called Radio Milan (90.4 MHz) that gives its feedback, merged with, and enriched by its input, to music, local news, input into local cultural ideologies, and cultural practices, and constructs impassioned ways to pride into heritage. Sundarban Radio (91.2 MHz), further south of Kolkata connects individuals of the Sundarbans with programs/radio shows about environmental awareness, sustainable living, and stories from the local community about this amazing area. While the genres can cover different facets of the communities, music exists - yes - but so do educational value and community building.

Community radio offers numerous benefits. It is valuable for providing urgent news, enables people to have a voice, and cultivates a sense of community. It encourages learning, sharing local stories, and promoting culture. Nonetheless, community radio does encounter challenges and there are times it must face issues with funding, transmission or technology, or it simply cannot service all communities and villages. However, community radio continues to expand and exist because the definitive value is to the listener.

Ultimately, community radio is not just sound that comes from a speaker; it is a friend, a helper, a storyteller. It brings hope for those feeling silenced by the factors of politics, social media, lack of connection, and inaccessibility to services. It stands as a connection between communities and provides information and care—from good food to local service providers. Each show, each song, each story, is a thread that carefully weaves together community. In West Bengal, community radio is the rhythm of local culture and local voices, providing us with the reminder that every voice counts, and listening to one another can bring a community full of hope, love, and connectedness.